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Ottoni, Callista Anne

University of British Columbia

Rationale: The COVID-19 pandemic (the pandemic) disrupted society and raised concerns about the health and well-being of older adults. The pandemic’s social impacts exacerbated loneliness—a concern for older adults. Social connectedness protects against loneliness and is integral to health and well-being. By delving deeply into factors that shaped social connectedness during the pandemic, we protect older adults’ well-being and prepare for future disruptions. My thesis is comprised of three interrelated studies that addressed two key objectives. 1. To examine older adults’ social connectedness and everyday well-being experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic; 2. To assess the strengths and limitations of a multi method qualitative approach that incorporates digitally mediated photovoice. Methods: Study 1. I conducted semi-structured interviews and surveys with 31 older adults in the first three months of the pandemic. Study 2. A subset of 9/31 participants self-selected to engage with digitally mediated photovoice. Participants discussed their self-directed photographs two weeks and then two years later. Study 3. I critically reflected on the process and outcomes of how I adapted digitally mediated photovoice. I analyzed transcript data, virtual and in-person participant observations, and researcher reflexive memos. Results: Participants’ experiences were mixed. Early in the pandemic, 45% (14) of participants were not lonely, 16% (5) were moderately lonely, and 39% (12) were high to extremely lonely. Individual-, interpersonal-, and neighbourhood-level factors shaped participants’ social connectedness and well-being. Participants benefited from access to green and blue spaces, neighbourhood connections, and home comforts. They experienced diminished social connectedness and well-being, often compounded by limited social contacts, economic constraints, insufficient housing, fears of contracting COVID-19 and/or other chronic health conditions. “Well-being” was an unfinished process. Digitally mediated photovoice methodology extended strengths of traditional photovoice through building rapport, facilitating a rich exchange of information, and providing opportunity for participants to exercise their agency. Conclusions: Older adults navigated social interactions, homes, and neighbourhoods during the pandemic— they experienced loneliness but were also resourceful, adaptable, and contributed to their communities at-large. Understanding how interrelated, dynamic factors facilitate older adult social connectedness and well-being might ultimately inform practices and policies that promote age-friendly cities.

Text

2024-07-17

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/88652

Interdisciplinary Studies

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/