"Stronger Than I Thought I Was": Older Adults' Coping Across Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background and objectives: Throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, older adults developed coping strategies to adapt to the necessary social distancing precautions; however, over time, especially as vaccines became available, their need and ability to adapt and cope shifted. This longitudinal, mixed-methods study investigates changes in older adults' perceptions of coping across the first 2 years of the pandemic.

Research design and methods: Between April 2020 and June 2022, 5 waves of interviews were conducted with 76 Midwestern older adults aged 70-97. At each timepoint, participants rated their level of perceived coping. They also answered a series of open-ended questions about their current daily life, experiences, and perceptions during the pandemic.

Results: Repeated-measure ANOVA indicated participants' perceived coping significantly increased over 2 years and qualitative explanations contextualized these shifts. Thematic coding of interview transcripts identified themes of: (1) taking problem-focused approaches and (2) cultivating emotional resiliency, with multiple subthemes nested within each. Subtheme meanings shifted once vaccines were available, as participants adapted to a "new normal" lifestyle and appreciated their own resilience.

Discussion and implications: Findings suggest older adults had nuanced and shifting coping experiences throughout the initial 2 years of the pandemic, but overall coped by drawing on life experiences. Our discussion highlights variability in older adults' coping over time and directions for future study and practice.

Keywords: Longitudinal; Mixed methods; Qualitative; Social distancing.