Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Health

Advisor

Clarence Schumaker

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health concern that impacted the world. Increased feelings of loneliness and social isolation during the pandemic were reported to be associated with those seeking help for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Though symptoms of anxiety have been associated with social isolation, research is limited on the association between the anxiety risk factors and social isolation among young adults in the United States. Using the socioecological model, the association between social isolation (dependent variable) with financial stress, health anxiety, and perceived impact of COVID-19 (independent variable), and the influence of gender, race, and household status on predicting the likelihood of social isolation were examined. This cross-sectional analysis included results from 446 U.S. young adults aged 18-29 years old who completed an online survey. Chi-square and ordinal logistic regression analyses showed that the independent variables were predictors of social isolation. However, there were negative associations when controlled for gender, race, and household status. This study has implications for social change because it showed through the strength of association whether financial stress, health anxiety, and perceived impact of COVID-19 are anxiety risk factors for social isolation among young adults. Moreover, it indicated the need for future studies of the association between the anxiety risk factors and social isolation to determine whether financial stress, health anxiety, and perceived impact of COVID-19 is causal for social isolation. These studies could lead to the development of public health interventions that reduce and prevent social isolation and its associated outcomes such as suicide and long-term mental health.

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