Data_Sheet_1_Dynamics of Loneliness Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pilot Study of Ecological Momentary Assessment With Network Analysis.PDF

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic has had potentially severe psychological implications for older adults, including those in retirement communities, due to restricted social interactions, but the day-to-day experience of loneliness has received limited study. We sought to investigate sequential association, if any, between loneliness, activity, and affect.
MethodsWe used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) with dynamic network analysis to investigate the affective and behavioral concomitants of loneliness in 22 residents of an independent living sector of a continuing care retirement community (mean age 80.2; range 68–93 years).
ResultsParticipants completed mean 83.9% of EMA surveys (SD = 16.1%). EMA ratings of loneliness were moderately correlated with UCLA loneliness scale scores. Network models showed that loneliness was contemporaneously associated with negative affect (worried, anxious, restless, irritable). Negative (but not happy or positive) mood tended to be followed by loneliness and then by exercise or outdoor physical activity. Negative affect had significant and high inertia (stability).
ConclusionsThe data suggest that EMA is feasible and acceptable to older adults. EMA-assessed loneliness was moderately associated with scale-assessed loneliness. Network models in these independent living older adults indicated strong links between negative affect and loneliness, but feelings of loneliness were followed by outdoor activity, suggesting adaptive behavior among relatively healthy adults.

研究目的
新冠肺炎疫情对老年人（包括养老社区中的老年人）可能造成严重的心理影响，社交互动受限是关键诱因，但日常孤独感的相关研究仍较为匮乏。本研究旨在探究孤独感、活动水平与情绪状态之间是否存在时序关联。

研究方法
本研究采用生态瞬时评估（ecological momentary assessment, EMA）结合动态网络分析（dynamic network analysis）的方法，对某持续照护养老社区独立生活区的22名居民开展孤独感的情绪与行为伴随特征研究。受试者平均年龄为80.2岁，年龄区间为68~93岁。

研究结果
受试者平均完成83.9%的EMA问卷（标准差=16.1%）。孤独感的EMA评分与加州大学洛杉矶分校孤独量表（UCLA Loneliness Scale）得分呈中度相关。网络模型分析显示，孤独感与负性情绪（担忧、焦虑、烦躁、易怒）存在同时性关联。负性（而非愉悦或正性）情绪往往先于孤独感出现，随后伴随锻炼或户外体力活动。负性情绪具有显著且较高的惯性（稳定性）。

研究结论
本研究数据表明，EMA对于老年人而言具备可行性与接受度。EMA评估的孤独感与量表评估的孤独感呈中度相关。针对该独立生活区老年群体的网络模型分析显示，负性情绪与孤独感间存在强关联；而孤独感之后会伴随户外活动，这提示相对健康的老年群体可通过该行为实现情绪适应。