Mentor/s
Dr. Jonix Owino
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
Previous research has discovered that as people age, their coping skills are enhanced due to different life experiences and resources accumulated over time. However, due to the severity of COVID-19, older adults were faced with hardships that resulted in them needing to cope. COVID-19 posed unique challenges such as quarantining and social distancing measures. The main objective of this current study was to determine how older adults have coped with the COVID-19 pandemic and how the pandemic has impacted their overall well-being. In this current qualitative research study, forty-one older adults were recruited to talk about their experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The criteria the participants had to possess included being aged 60-74 years old as well as living on the east coast of the United States. These older adults were recruited through email, social media, and face-to-face interactions by visiting retirement facilities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which ranged from 15-30 minutes. Initial results show that older adults were compelled to embrace new technological advances like telehealth and new techniques for job performance because of the CDC guidelines put into place. Additionally, participants sought socio-emotional coping strategies and also strived to keep a positive mindset which enabled them to be optimistic. These coping strategies were essential to fostering resilience among older adults thus enhancing their well-being. The findings of this study are beneficial to helping communities determine effective interventions for older adults.
College and Major available
College of Arts and Sciences, Psychology BS
Location
Session 6: Digital Commons & Martire Room 126
Start Day/Time
4-26-2023 3:30 PM
End Day/Time
4-26-2023 4:45 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.
Prize Categories
Best Multidisciplinary Research or Collaboration, Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Most Creative
Coping Among Older Adults During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Research Study
Session 6: Digital Commons & Martire Room 126
Previous research has discovered that as people age, their coping skills are enhanced due to different life experiences and resources accumulated over time. However, due to the severity of COVID-19, older adults were faced with hardships that resulted in them needing to cope. COVID-19 posed unique challenges such as quarantining and social distancing measures. The main objective of this current study was to determine how older adults have coped with the COVID-19 pandemic and how the pandemic has impacted their overall well-being. In this current qualitative research study, forty-one older adults were recruited to talk about their experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The criteria the participants had to possess included being aged 60-74 years old as well as living on the east coast of the United States. These older adults were recruited through email, social media, and face-to-face interactions by visiting retirement facilities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which ranged from 15-30 minutes. Initial results show that older adults were compelled to embrace new technological advances like telehealth and new techniques for job performance because of the CDC guidelines put into place. Additionally, participants sought socio-emotional coping strategies and also strived to keep a positive mindset which enabled them to be optimistic. These coping strategies were essential to fostering resilience among older adults thus enhancing their well-being. The findings of this study are beneficial to helping communities determine effective interventions for older adults.
Students' Information
Nicole Sperling, Psychology, 2024
Vaibhavi Siddhartha, Psychology, 2023
Rebecca Barakat, Psychology, 2023
Emily Gorski, Psychology, 2024
Winner, Dean' Prize: College of Arts & Sciences Social Sciences 2023 Award