Being cut off from social identity resources has shaped loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic: A longitudinal interview study with medically vulnerable older adults from the United Kingdom

• DOI: 10.1002/casp.2724
• Publication Date: 2023-07-19T04:16:40Z
• Authors: Lydia Harkin; Avelie Stuart; Clifford Stevenson; Catherine Talbot; Rosie Daly; Miriam Sang‐Ah Park; Dmitri Katz; Daniel Gooch; Blaine Price
• Keywords: Social Isolation; Thematic Analysis; Pandemic

Abstract Loneliness is a pernicious problem in older adulthood, associated with physical decline and isolation from valued social groups. However, the long‐term evolving experiences of ageing, identity loneliness have yet to be elucidated. We use Qualitative Longitudinal Research interview approach nine vulnerable adults (Age mean = 79.4 years), which five participants were interviewed twice between 2019 2020, four at three‐time points 2021. This study aims understand unfolding during prolonged period Coronavirus pandemic. A theoretically guided thematic analysis highlights that initially experience ‘Categorisation as Vulnerable Loss Agency’ ‘Shrinking Social Worlds’, leading ‘Undermining Reciprocal Support’ ‘Fears Persistent Loneliness’. Findings suggest interventions ameliorate among would benefit addressing age‐based stereotypes emphasising value reciprocal contributions can make their networks, well scaffolding enhancing identification new Please refer Supplementary Material section find this article's Community Impact Statement .