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    The social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults

    Cite as: Jenkins, Harry (2021): The social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. Birkbeck College, University of London. doi: https://doi.org/10.18743/DATA.00155

    Description

    The dataset contains data collected for a dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MSc Social Research at Birkbeck, University of London, September 2021. The dissertation was supervised by Dr Dale Mineshima Lowe.

    The dataset contains interview transcripts with seven older adults aged 69-89 living in England, focusing on their experiences and perspectives of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Collection Method

    Data was collected using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted over the telephone as a safety precaution against COVID-19.

    The interviews covered emotions older adults had felt during the pandemic; the impact of being required to stay at home, and the effects of loneliness and isolation; understanding what contact and support participants had received from friends, family, local charities and local authorities; how access to care and treatment had been affected; what coping mechanisms people had discovered; and how it had felt to be classed as vulnerable in law and public discourse. Participants had the opportunity during an earlier stage of the study to contribute to the topics covered in the interview guide used for all participants.

    Participants for this study were recruited through a charity that supports older adults. A purposive sample was selected by the charity to ensure diversity in gender and ethnicity, although there was less representation from older adults of colour than hoped.

    The sample had a median age of 70 and age range of 69-89. Four participants identified as female and three as male. Five participants identified as White British, one White Irish and one Black African.

    Data Objects

    Offline / Analogue Data Records

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    External Data Records

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    If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact us at researchdata@bbk.ac.uk.

    Data

    Metadata

    Dataset Title:

    The social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults
    Creators:

    Jenkins, Harry
    School/Department:

    Birkbeck Schools and Research Centres > School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy > Politics
    Keywords:

    COVID-19, pandemic, aging, vulnerability, ageism, England
    Data collection method:

    Data was collected using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted over the telephone as a safety precaution against COVID-19.

    The interviews covered emotions older adults had felt during the pandemic; the impact of being required to stay at home, and the effects of loneliness and isolation; understanding what contact and support participants had received from friends, family, local charities and local authorities; how access to care and treatment had been affected; what coping mechanisms people had discovered; and how it had felt to be classed as vulnerable in law and public discourse. Participants had the opportunity during an earlier stage of the study to contribute to the topics covered in the interview guide used for all participants.

    Participants for this study were recruited through a charity that supports older adults. A purposive sample was selected by the charity to ensure diversity in gender and ethnicity, although there was less representation from older adults of colour than hoped.

    The sample had a median age of 70 and age range of 69-89. Four participants identified as female and three as male. Five participants identified as White British, one White Irish and one Black African.
    Collection period:

    FromTo
    July 2021UNSPECIFIED
    Statement on legal, ethical, and access issues:

    Not applicable
    Depositing User: Harry JENKINS
    Date Deposited: 29 Oct 2021 10:05
    Last Modified: 01 Jul 2022 15:16
    Publisher: Birkbeck College, University of London

    Export / Share Citation

    Cite as: Jenkins, Harry (2021): The social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. Birkbeck College, University of London. doi: https://doi.org/10.18743/DATA.00155

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