A Qualitative Study of Older Adults' Emotional and Cognitive Responses to COVID-19 Confinement in Brazil

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed unprecedented challenges on global public health, disproportionately affecting older adults, who are considered a highly vulnerable population. Social distancing and confinement measures, while essential for infection control, disrupted daily routines, social interactions, and emotional well-being, necessitating adaptive strategies among individuals aged 60 years and older. This qualitative, cross-sectional study investigated the cognitive, emotional, and social experiences of older adults living in two municipalities in the interior of Sao Paulo, Brazil, with distinct demographic profiles: Inubia Paulista-SP, a small town, and Ribeirao Preto-SP, a large city. Data were collected through individual, semi-structured interviews conducted between October and December 2022, and analyzed using an interpretative approach to identify thematic axes emerging from participants' narratives. Four central themes were identified: fear, spirituality, happiness in being alive, and anxiety regarding illness. Participants also reported coping strategies to maintain mental and emotional well-being, including reading, handicrafts, physical activity, and spiritual practices. Spirituality emerged as a particularly relevant protective factor, providing psychological support, meaning, and social connection. Engagement in cognitively and creatively stimulating activities complemented these strategies, enhancing memory, planning, emotional regulation, and self-expression. The findings underscore the complex interplay of emotional, cognitive, and social dimensions in fostering resilience among older adults during periods of health crisis. Public policies and interventions should integrate cognitive, cultural, social, and spiritual resources to support mental health, autonomy, and quality of life in aging populations, particularly during crises that impose isolation and uncertainty.