Disentangle the Elderly’s Positive Coping Behavior in Times of COVID-19: Perspectives from the Social Network, Information Acquisition, and Perceived Community Support

Abstract

Given the severe impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need for scientific research on strategies to help vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, cope effectively. Drawing upon the weak ties theory and information literacy, this study started with preliminary interviews to explore potential factors influencing the positive coping behavior of a group of elderly Chinese individuals. It further disentangled the impact of social networks (including network size, network strength, and network heterogeneity) and information acquisition on the elderly’s positive coping behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic and elucidated their underlying mechanisms. The hypotheses were tested by surveying 916 individuals aged 60 to 96 in southwest China. Structural equation modeling analysis conducted using AMOS (24.0) revealed that social network (network strength and heterogeneity) and information acquisition were directly associated with positive coping behavior, respectively. Perceived community support mediated such associations. Findings enrich the theoretical literature and provide new perspectives on how to help the elderly cope with health crises by enhancing social network, information acquisition, and perceived community support.