Social isolation during COVID-19 lockdown impairs cognitive function

Joanne Ingram*, Christopher J. Hand, Greg Maciejewski

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)
288 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Studies examining the effect of social isolation on cognitive function typically involve older adults and/or specialist groups (e.g., expeditions). We considered the effects of COVID-19- induced social isolation on cognitive function within a representative sample of the general population. We additionally considered how participants ‘shielding’ due to underlying health complications, or living alone, performed. We predicted that performance would be poorest under strictest, most-isolating conditions. At five timepoints over 13 weeks, participants (N=342; aged 18-72 years) completed online tasks measuring attention, memory, decisionmaking, time-estimation, and learning. Participants indicated their mood as ‘lockdown’ was eased. Performance typically improved as opportunities for social contact increased. Interactions between participant sub-groups and timepoint demonstrated that performance was shaped by individuals’ social isolation levels. Social isolation is linked to cognitive decline in the absence of ageing covariates. The impact of social isolation on cognitive function should be considered when implementing prolonged pandemic-related restrictive conditions.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)935-947
Number of pages13
JournalApplied Cognitive Psychology
Volume35
Issue number4
Early online date17 Mar 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • cognitive decline
  • covid-19
  • executive function
  • lockdown
  • social isolation

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