LOCKED DOWN IN THE RAINBOW NATION: ALLEVIATING THE LONELINESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN OLDER PERSONS

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15270/59-4-1171

Keywords:

COVID-19, developmental social welfare, gerontological social work, loneliness, older persons, socio-ecological resilience, South Africa

Abstract

The literature on the biopsychosocial effects of COVID-19 on older persons has originated predominately from the Global North, with a dearth of studies focusing on the loneliness of older persons in the developing world, such as South Africa. This cross-sectional study explored the loneliness of South African older persons (N = 118) before and during COVID-19 to inform gerontological social work. The survey incorporated a standardised scale of loneliness and items to assess the type and quantity of contact with others, physical health, mental health and socio-demographic variables. Bivariate and multivariate analyses explored the factors that contributed to overall loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in social, emotional and overall loneliness from pre- to during COVID-19. Considered from a socio-ecological resilience perspective, gerontological social work services are recommended for alleviating loneliness amongst South African older persons during a pandemic, such as COVID-19.

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Author Biographies

Stephan Geyer

1University of Pretoria, Department of Social Work and Criminology, Pretoria

Jill Chonody

Boise State University, School of Social Work, Idaho

 

Barbra Teater

City University of New York, Graduate Center, College of Staten Island, New York

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Published

2023-12-04

How to Cite

Geyer, S. ., Chonody, J. ., & Teater, B. . (2023). LOCKED DOWN IN THE RAINBOW NATION: ALLEVIATING THE LONELINESS OF SOUTH AFRICAN OLDER PERSONS. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 59(4), 338–356. https://doi.org/10.15270/59-4-1171

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