Can Digital Communication Protect Against Depression for Older Adults With Hearing and Vision Impairment During COVID-19?

Amanda Zhang · Kristen Wroblewski · Terence E. Imbery · Martha K. McClintock · Louise C. Hawkley · Jayant Marian Pinto

8 citations0/0 files storedThe Journals of Gerontology Series B

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Technology Use by Older Adults COVID-19 and Mental Health Aging, Health, and Disability

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: During social isolation imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, older adults with impaired hearing and vision potentially experienced more communication challenges, increasing their risk for poor mental health. Digital communication (e.g., video calls, e-mail/text/social media) may alleviate in-person isolation and protect against depression. We addressed this question using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative panel study of community-dwelling older adults. METHOD: Two thousand five hundred fifty-eight adults aged 55 and older comprised the analytic sample. Interviewer rating at baseline (2015-2016) classified those with vision impairment (VI) or hearing impairment (HI). Olfactory impairment (OI) was measured by objective testing. During COVID-19 (2020-2021), respondents reported how often they contacted nonhousehold family or friends and whether this was by phone, e-mail/text/social media, video, or in-person. They also quantified the frequency of depressive feelings. RESULTS: Older adults with VI or HI but not OI at baseline were significantly less likely to report regular use of video calling and e-mail/text/social media during the pandemic compared to those without impairment. Sensory impairments did not affect the frequency of phone or in-person communication. Adults with VI or HI were more likely to experience frequent depressive feelings during COVID-19. Video calls mitigated this negative effect of VI- and HI-associated depressive feelings in a dose-dependent manner. DISCUSSION: Among communication modalities, video calling had a protective effect against depressive feelings for people with sensory impairment during social isolation. Improving access to and usability of video communication for older adults with sensory impairment could be a strategy to improve their mental health.

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2016Social support and protection from depression: systematic review of current findings in Western countries 2015The association between social relationships and depression: A systematic review 2016Social media and loneliness: Why an Instagram picture may be worth more than a thousand Twitter words 2015Using Social Media for Social Comparison and Feedback-Seeking: Gender and Popularity Moderate Associations with Depressive Symptoms 2003Social Engagement and Attachment 2013Patterns of Technology Use Among Older Adults With and Without Disabilities 2021Effect of Layperson-Delivered, Empathy-Focused Program of Telephone Calls on Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic 2008Internet use and personal empowerment of hearing-impaired adolescents

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