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