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Identity Development and Disruption in Older Adults During COVID-19: A Longitudinal, Mixed-Methods Study
Lauren L Mitchell1, Mary K Burns2, Daniel Koch Impellizzeri2
1Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Emmanuel College, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Summary
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted older adults identities, with some experiencing resilience and others identity disruption. Identity disruption was linked to persistently worse well-being over time.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Disruptive life events, exemplified by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, can prompt older adults to adjust their identities.
- Understanding how these significant events influence identity formation and maintenance in later life is crucial for psychological well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how older adults perceived changes in their identities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To examine the relationship between pandemic-related identity shifts, specific pandemic experiences, and overall well-being in older adults.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods approach was employed with 2,248 older adults longitudinally from April 2020 to April 2021.
- Qualitative thematic analysis identified identity themes, while statistical analyses investigated associations with COVID-19 exposure, vaccination, and 12-month well-being trajectories (life satisfaction, loneliness, depression, anxiety, self-rated health) using latent growth curve models.
Main Results:
- Participants reported both positive identity adjustments (e.g., revised priorities, resilience) and negative identity disruption.
- Identity disruption was significantly associated with poorer baseline well-being and consistently worse outcomes over the 12-month study period.
Conclusions:
- Identity is adaptable in later life, with stressful events like the COVID-19 pandemic capable of fostering positive adaptive processes.
- However, such events can also lead to identity disruption, which is a significant risk factor for sustained negative well-being in older adults.
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