Older adults who had more virtual contact during the pandemic were LONELIER

Older adults who had more virtual contact during the pandemic were LONELIER
Older adults who had more virtual contact during the pandemic were LONELIER
Older adults who had more virtual contact during the pandemic were LONELIER than those who shunned video chats, surprising study finds Scientists surveyed 6,539 older people before and during the pandemic  They were asked about their forms of communication and mental wellbeing  Those who had more in-person interactions reported being less lonely But virtual interactions – such as phone calls, texting, online audio, video chat and social media – were not linked with improved mental wellbeing

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While video chat apps were once reserved for work calls, they've served as a lifeline for many people amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, a new study suggests that apps such as Houseparty and Zoom were not helpful for older adults, and actually increased feelings of loneliness.

Researchers from Lancaster University found that over-60s who had more virtual contact during the pandemic experienced greater loneliness than those who shunned video chats.

Dr Yang Hu, who led the study, said: 'Our findings show that despite rapid digitisation in the UK and elsewhere, virtual means of social interaction cannot replace in-person contact in supporting older people's mental health.'

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A new study suggests that apps such as Houseparty and Zoom were not helpful for older adults, and actually increased feelings of loneliness (stock image)

A new study suggests that apps such as Houseparty and Zoom were not helpful for older adults, and actually increased feelings of loneliness (stock image)

In the study, the team analysed data from 5,148 older people in the UK and 1,391 in the US, who were surveyed both before (2018-2019) and during (June 2020) the pandemic.

The survey included questions on how participants used different forms of interactions with their family and friends, and on their mental wellbeing.

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