Самотність та соціальна ізоляція людей похилого віку під час пандемії covid-19

Abstract

У статті описано взаємозв’язок між основоположними категоріями дослідження: самотність, соціальна ізоляція, пандемія, люди похилого віку. На основі аналізу українських і зарубіжних напрацювань визначено причини виникнення явища соціальної ізоляції та відчуття самотності в людей похило віку до і під час пандемії COVID-19. Висвітлено результати емпіричного дослідження, які описують взаємозв’язок між заздалегідь виокремленими у контексті роботи факторами (індикаторами) та згаданими вище проблемами літніх людей у час пандемії COVID-19, яка триває досі.

The proposed article describes the connection between the basic categories of research: loneliness, social isolation, pandemic, the elderly. Based on the analysis of Ukrainian and foreign works, the causes of loneliness and social isolation among the elderly were identified. Notably, the list of preconditions for the occurrence of the phenomena was systematized and divided into two groups: “before the COVID-19 pandemic” and “during the COVID-19 pandemic”. Based on the analysis of scientific studies, a list of indicators (factors) of empirical research was formed, including the presence of relatives and friends, and communication with them; the presence of cohabitants; support from family members/friends/roommates/community; participation in specific social associations; the presence of various ways of communication; the intensity (frequency and duration) of communication and interaction; employment; participation in religious life; feeling of isolation. The study results describe the connection between the factors (indicators) and the studied problems of loneliness and social isolation among the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. After conducted research, we divided the indicators (factors) into two groups: “preventive” and “stimulating”. The first helps to prevent the formation of loneliness and social isolation among the elderly during the pandemic COVID-19. The second, on the contrary, reinforces the negative conditions for the development of the studied problems. Also, within the proposed study, we failed to identify the role of some factors (indicators) due to the lack of information required for the analysis. Therefore, we assume that the results will help to understand the problems of loneliness and social isolation among the study group better. Note that our results will be relevant after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. They can serve as a basis for forming strategies and recommendations for rehabilitating the elderly who have experienced social isolation and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.