JOURNAL ARTICLE

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

  • Published In: Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences, 2023, v. 78, n. 4. P. 629 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Zhang, Amanda; Wroblewski, Kristen E; Imbery, Terence E; McClintock, Martha K; Hawkley, Louise C; Pinto, Jayant M 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines how sensory impairments—specifically vision impairment (VI) and hearing impairment (HI)—affected older adults' mental health and digital communication use during the COVID-19 pandemic, using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP). Findings indicate that older adults with VI or HI experienced more frequent depressive feelings during the pandemic and were significantly less likely to use video calling and e-mail/text/social media messaging compared to those without impairments, though phone and in-person communication did not differ. Importantly, frequent video calling mitigated depressive feelings associated with VI and HI, whereas other communication modes did not show this protective effect. The study suggests that improving access to and usability of video communication for older adults with sensory impairments could help reduce depression during periods of social isolation.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences. 2023/04, Vol. 78, Issue 4, p629
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:1079-5014
  • DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbac193
  • Accession Number:162858400
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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