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The Impact of the First COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Restrictions on Intergenerational Interactions

ABSTRACT To explore intergenerational differences in the impact of the initial COVID-19 restrictions on interactions, loneliness, and stress, data were collected via online survey from 962 individuals between April 7-May 8, 2020. The predominantly female, White, and well-educated sample included 245 younger adults (YAs), ages 18–34; 374 middle-aged adults (MAs), ages 35–64; and 343 older adults (OAs), ages 65 and above. Face-to-face interaction between generations did decrease significantly, while connections via technology increased somewhat less. About a third of MAs (35%) and OAs (36%) were lonely, compared to 48% of YAs (p = .003), and a higher percentage of YAs (57%) reported being “more lonely” now, compared to MAs (36%) and OAs (41%). OAs reported the least stress; 42% reported low/very low levels of stress compared to YAs (9%) and MAs (20%). Physical exercise and “being in nature” were most often used by all generations to deal with stress. Results suggest the resilience of older adults is helping them during the pandemic.