The Impact of COVID-19 Fear: Evidence To Inform Social, Health And Economic Recovery - A Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS) Study

Citation

Douglas E, Bell DNF, Comerford D, McCabe L, Pemble C, McGregor L & Brown T (2021) The Impact of COVID-19 Fear: Evidence To Inform Social, Health And Economic Recovery - A Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS) Study. In: Ageing Past, Present and Future: Innovation and Change. British Society of Gerontology 50th Annual Conference, Online, 07.07.2021-09.07.2021. Hampshire: British Society of Gerontology, p. 165. https://www.britishgerontology.org/public/31949/BSG_Conference_Book_2021_Online_v2.pdf

Abstract
COVID-19 fear influences decisions such as visiting family and friends, attending GP/hospital appointments, returning to the workplace and employment/consumption patterns. Yet there is no generally accepted instrument to define or measure COVID-19 Fear. This study addresses the problem by: (1) constructing a robust and evidence-based survey instrument for COVID-19 Fear; (2) using the instrument to measure prevalence among older people in Scotland, and (3) relating this to willingness to re-engage across social, health, and economic domains as society adjusts to what may be termed the ‘new normal’. This mixed methods study includes a largescale mixed-mode survey and interviews with both older people and professionals working in the social care, healthcare and third sector. This approach enables decomposition of responses to COVID-19 fear by socio-economic disadvantage and by place.

Notes
Output Type: Meeting Abstract

People

Professor David Comerford

Professor, Economics

Dr Elaine Douglas

Associate Professor, Dementia and Ageing

Professor Louise McCabe

Professor, Dementia and Ageing

Dr Lesley McGregor

Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Psychology

Dr Cate Pemble

Research Fellow (Impact), Dementia and Ageing