Understanding eHealth, loneliness and well-being experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A UK insight

Research relating to gerontechnology is growing, and this article extends these insights to understand the experiences of eHealth literacy, loneliness and well-being employing a life course perspective. The data collected between April and July 2020 via an online survey deployed across the UK resulted in a subset of data (n = 320). Employing a life course approach, the aim of this survey was to recruit adults aged 18–65+ years to gain an understanding of eHealth literacy, the experiences of loneliness and well-being during the pandemic. This paper presents findings based on several characteristics including, age, education, type of community, gender and marital status and respondents self-rated experiences of eHealth literacy, loneliness and well-being. Significant differences were identified relating to respondents loneliness, well-being and eHealth literacy (age). The results demonstrate that it is younger adults who also experience loneliness and poorer well-being, and this provides a foundation for a life course approach to be implemented into a national agenda for future research. These findings contribute to the disciplines of gerontology, public health and social policy because they have implications for national public health agencies regarding future pandemic preparedness concerning loneliness and well-being of people in society.