Overview
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) uses the instrument to measure prevalence among older people in Scotland, and
(3) relates Covid-19 fear to willingness to re-engage across social, health, and economic domains as societyadjusts to what may be termed the 'new normal'.
This work will help researchers and policymakers to understand and respond to the social, health, and
economic impacts of COVID-19 fear.
This project extends the Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS), study by partnering with Generation Scotland to advance the development of Scotland's first comprehensive longitudinal study of ageing. The research will highlight social gradients in COVID-19 fear and the effects of fear on the use of internet and mobile communication technology (ICT) and its impacts. The findings will inform policy and behavioural interventions to address COVID-19 fear.
This project is funded by the ESRC as part of UKRI's Covid-19 Rapid-Response call.
Publications & Activities
Health Concerns and Service Engagement in Older Adults in Scotland
University of Stirling (2022).
Authors: Douglas E, McGregor L, Brown T, Duggan A,
The Impact of COVID-19 Fear: Evidence To Inform Social, Health And Economic Recovery - A Healthy Ageing In Scotland (HAGIS) Study
BSG Conference 2021 (2021). (Virtual)
Authors: Douglas E, Bell D, Comerford D, Olivarius O, McCabe L, Pemble C, McGregor L, Brown T,
Media
Research finds older people are more fearful of cancer than Covid Home Care Insight. 2022
This relates to research project, The impact of COVID-19 Fear: evidence to inform social, health and economic recovery and to the publication: Douglas E, McGregor L, Brown T, Duggan A, (2022) Health Concerns and Service Engagement in Older Adults in Scotland.
Cancer greater cause for concern than COVID for those over 50, reports find Medical Express. 2022
This relates to research project, The impact of COVID-19 Fear: evidence to inform social, health and economic recovery and to the publication: Douglas E, McGregor L, Brown T, Duggan A, (2022) Health Concerns and Service Engagement in Older Adults in Scotland.
Impact of 'Covid-19 fear' on over-50s examined Knutsford Guardian. 2021
News article about the impact of covid fear on the over 50s and the new survey wave of "Healthy Ageing in Scotland study", set up by Dr Elaine Douglas and Professor David Bell.
Impact of 'Covid-19 fear' on over-50s examined Jersey Evening Post. 2021
Research project to study the impact of COVID fear University of Stirling. 2021
An article on new research by Dr Elaine Douglas, Professor David Bell and Dr Alison Dawson on the impact of Covid-19 fear on the over 50s.
Impact of 'Covid-19 fear' on over-50s examined Bournemouth Echo. 2021
News article about the impact of covid fear on the over 50s and the new survey wave of "Healthy Ageing in Scotland study", set up by Dr Elaine Douglas and Professor David Bell.