Isolation Stress Research Articles

Expression of Concern: Effects of Importin α1/KPNA1 deletion and adolescent social isolation stress on psychiatric disorder-associated behaviors in mice.

Expression of Concern: Effects of Importin α1/KPNA1 deletion and adolescent social isolation stress on psychiatric disorder-associated behaviors in mice.

Autism Spectrum Disorder in Down Syndrome: Experiences from Caregivers

This study aimed to learn about the experiences of families of individuals with a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (DS-ASD), and to document the journey from early concerns to diagnosis and intervention. Caregivers completed an online survey describing their journey raising a child with DS-ASD. Survey responses were analyzed qualitatively and coded into categories to highlight common themes. Stereotypy, severe communication impairments, and behavioral difficulties prompted caregivers to pursue further evaluation. There was a mean 4.65-year gap between first noticing symptoms and receiving an ASD diagnosis. Several therapeutic interventions were identified as beneficial, including behavioral and communication support. Caregivers expressed frustration and described high levels of stress and social isolation. The diagnosis of ASD in children with DS is often delayed, and caregivers’ initial concerns are frequently dismissed. Raising a child with DS-ASD can lead to social isolation and elevated caregiver stress. More research is needed to tailor diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic interventions to the unique needs of this patient population. Caregivers yearn for improved understanding of DS-ASD, more targeted therapies and educational programs, and more overall support.

Agreement Between Nurses’ Anxiety And Depression Levels And Their Compliance With Isolation Measures During The Covid 19 Pandemic: An Online Cross-Sectional Study

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between nurses’ anxiety and depression levels and their compliance with isolation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has had severe psychological impacts on nurses. Methods: Following receipt of the requisite approvals, data were collected actively from 289 nurses consenting to participate in the study through an online questionnaire using theinternet/ social media. Results: Mean stress, anxiety, and depression scores were higher among carers for COVID-19 patients than in non-Covidcarers. Analysis revealed significant positive correlation between Isolation Precautions Compliance Scale scores and stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Conclusion: Burnout increased while compliance with isolation precautions decreased in this study as stress, anxiety, and depression increased. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 22 No. 01 January’23 Page : 115-120

The Effects of Online Education on the Emotional Well-Being of College Students during the Spread of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a transition from campus-based to online higher education. This study aims to examine the impact of online learning on the mental health of college students during a pandemic. This research analyses the literature and surveys students to learn more about how online learning affects their emotional well-being regarding topics like social isolation, technical challenges, and academic stress. College students' mental health was significantly affected by their access to online courses during the epidemic, the findings suggest. Public universities in Hyderabad, India, and Kota Bharu, Malaysia, provide the samples for this study, which is conducted entirely online. Individual correlation testing procedures are used with SPSS 28.0 to determine the variable relationship. Higher education institutions and policymakers can use this study's findings to better protect students' mental health as they complete online courses. Keywords: Education, Students, COVID-19, Student Health

The importance of teacher interpersonal communication as an effort to maintain students' mental health: a study of lerature review

Mental health disorders in students have increased significantly in recent years, including anxiety, depression, stress, and feelings of isolation. Teachers have an important role not only as information transmitters but also as effective learning facilitators. Empirical and responsive interpersonal communication can provide the support, understanding, and guidance needed to maintain students' mental health. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the role of interpersonal communication in maintaining students' mental health. This article aims to inform readers of the role teachers play in supporting students' mental health through good interpersonal communication. The method used is a review of the literature by taking an article that can answer research problems. In this case, there are four main sources for research references. The result of this study is that teachers need to establish good interpersonal communication with students to support their mental health. Empirical, responsive, and inclusive communication can provide the support, understanding, and guidance needed to address academic anxiety, depression, stress, feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and emotional problems. Positive emotional relationships between teachers and students create a safe, supportive, and mental well-being environment for students. Teacher interpersonal communication also promotes collaborative communication between teachers and students. Active participation and open discussion help students feel involved in the learning process, build confidence, and pay attention to their emotional needs. To improve teachers' interpersonal communication, educational institutions need to provide appropriate training and support. Teachers need to develop effective communication skills and an understanding of students' mental health. A supportive and stigma-free environment must also be created so that students feel comfortable talking about health issues.

CHANGE IN SOCIAL INTERACTION AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG OLDER AMERICANS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract Recent research has shown the mental health consequence of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but longitudinal data are relatively scarce. It is unclear whether the pattern of isolation and elevated stress seen at the beginning of the pandemic persists over time. This study evaluates change in social interaction over six months and its mental health impact among older adults. We drew data from a panel study with six repeated assessments of social interaction and mental health conducted monthly May through October 2020. The sample included a total of 380 White, Black and Hispanic participants aged 50 and over, of whom 33% had low income, who residing in fourteen U.S. states with active stay-at-home orders in May 2020. The analysis examined how change in living arrangement, in-person interaction outside the household, quality of relationship with family and friends, and perceived social support affected trajectories of isolation stress, COVID worry and sadness. While their living arrangements and relationship quality remained stable, older adults experienced fluctuations in perceived social support and increases in in-person conversations outside the household. Living with a spouse/partner stabilized isolation stress and COVID worry over time. Individuals with better relationship quality with friends became happier over time. Changes in social support were associated with greater fluctuations in isolation stress and COVID worry. During the pandemic, social interactions are protective and lack of stability in feeling supported makes older adults vulnerable to stress. Efforts should focus on (re)building and maintaining companionship and support to mitigate the pandemic’s negative impact.

A MOMENT’S NOTICE: RECOGNIZING THE STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS, EMOTIONS, AND ACTIONS THAT MAKE US SUSCEPTIBLE TO SCAMS

Abstract Scamming has become a booming, multibillion-dollar industry with millions of Americans targeted by scams each year. To better understand the rates of exposure to scams and factors that may increase a target’s susceptibility to financial loss resulting from a scam, AARP commissioned a national survey that screened over 9,000 adults ages 18+ about their rates of encounters and financial loss from 26 popular scams. Among the total sample, 15% (an estimated 33 million people) reported losing money to a scam in the past year. Additionally, a subset of 3,280 respondents, including 1,085 respondents who lost money to a scam, were surveyed more extensively about their experiences. The study uncovered environmental and emotional factors in which targets are more susceptible to fraud. Specifically, fraud victims reported experiencing twice as many stressful life events (i.e., 4.0 vs. 1.9), 58% more fraud encounters, stronger emotional arousal during fraud encounters, and significantly less family support and closeness than non-victims. Additionally, only two of the eight protection tools recommended by fraud experts (i.e., using a passcode and installing protective software on one’s computer) were used by most respondents; and less than half of respondents reported using call blocking tools or online monitoring of their accounts, which can dramatically reduce exposure to scam encounters. Together, these findings show the importance of building public awareness of the role of stress, emotional arousal, and feelings of isolation in fraud susceptibility, and highlight the benefits of using fraud protection tools to limit one’s exposure to fraud.

Life‐stage‐dependent effects of multiple flood‐associated stressors on a coastal foundational species

AbstractGlobal changes in precipitation patterns have increased the frequency and duration of flooding events. Freshwater inflows into estuaries reduce salinity levels and increase nutrient inputs, which can lead to eutrophication and impaired water quality. Oysters are important ecosystem engineers in coastal environments that are vulnerable to co‐occurring environmental stressors associated with freshwater flooding events. Successful recruitment is necessary to maintain adult oyster populations, but early life stage responses to multiple stressors are not well understood. Flood‐associated stressor conditions were observed near oyster habitats at multiple locations across the northern Gulf of Mexico during peak recruitment months in the spring and summer of 2021. In the laboratory, we examined the interactive effects of acidification, hypoxia, and low salinity on larval and juvenile life stages of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) to better understand the impact of flooding events on oyster development and survival. Salinity stress in isolation reduced larval growth and settlement, and decreased survival and growth at the juvenile stage. Hypoxia was more stressful to oyster larvae than to juveniles, whereas low pH had negative effects on juvenile growth. There were no synergistic effects of multiple flood‐associated stressors on early oyster life stages and effects were either additive or predicted by the salinity stress response. The negative impacts of flooding disturbances on recruitment processes in benthic populations need to be considered in restoration planning and flood control mitigation strategies as the frequency and intensity of extreme freshwater events continue to rise worldwide.

Survey of Alcohol, substance Abuse, depressive Disorders & other social Pathology in Refugees & Homeless in Postcovid Era: Two cohort nonrandomized Survey of 109 Clients in Post COVID-19 Period

The postcovid era augmented with armed conflict in Eastern Europe brings new waves of social pathology, including postcovid syndrome, where the commonest signs are depression, anxiosity‚ followed by alcohol, tobacco, or other substance use. Two cohorts of clients of social work: one among migrants and refugees (98 clients); 11 homeless have been studied on development of both symptomes related to stress (post trauma stress syndrome after armed conflict, and chronic stress of homelesness and isolation). Only one case of HIV and HepC in both groups have been recorded, both on ARV or HCV treatment. Tobacco use has been increased in the group of posttrauma stress syndrome related to Group I (armed conflict refugees), but alcohol or substance use were sporadic and exceptional both before and after admission in the 3m follow up.

The effects of the recurrent social isolation stress on fear extinction and dopamine D2 receptors in the amygdala and the hippocampus

BackgroundThe present study assessed the influence of recurrent social isolation stress on the aversive memory extinction and dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) expression in the amygdala and the hippocampus subnuclei. We also analyzed the expression of epigenetic factors potentially associated with fear extinction: miRNA-128 and miRNA-142 in the amygdala.MethodsMale adult fear-conditioned rats had three episodes of 48 h social isolation stress before each fear extinction session in weeks intervals. Ninety minutes after the last extinction session, the D2R expression in the nuclei of the amygdala and the hippocampus (immunocytochemical technique), and mRNA levels for D2R in the amygdala were assessed (PCR). Moreover, we evaluated the levels of miRNA-128 and miRNA-142 in the amygdala.ResultsIt was found that recurrent social isolation stress decreased the fear extinction rate. The extinguished isolated rats were characterized by higher expression of D2R in the CA1 area of the hippocampus compared to the extinguished and the control rats. In turn, the isolated group presented higher D2R immunoreactivity in the CA1 area compared to the extinguished, the control, and the extinguished isolated animals. Moreover, the extinguished animals had higher expression of D2R in the central amygdala than the control and the extinguished isolated rats. These changes were accompanied by the increase in miRNA-128 level in the amygdala in the extinguished isolated rats compared to the control, the extinguished, and the isolated rats. Moreover, the extinguished rats had lower expression of miRNA-128 compared to the control and the isolated animals.ConclusionsOur results suggest that social isolation stress impairs aversive memory extinction and coexists with changes in the D2R expression in the amygdala and hippocampus and increased expression of miRNA-128 in the amygdala.

Resveratrol exerts anxiolytic-like effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in rats exposed to chronic social isolation

Emerging evidence has confirmed resveratrol's (RES) antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant effects. The beneficial effects of RES were confirmed for several emotional and cognitive deficits. This research aimed to assess the impacts of RES on behavior and hippocampal levels of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory factors in rats exposed to chronic social isolation (SI) stress, which is known to induce mental disorders such as depressive-like behavior. The animals were treated by RES (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg/intraperitoneally) for 28 days following a 28-day exposure to stress. Behavioral tests, including the forced swim test (FST), open-field test (OFT), tail suspension test (TST), and sucrose preference test (SPT), assessed depressive symptoms. Finally, the animals were sacrificed, and molecular studies (qPCR and ELISA) were performed. Exposure of animals to SI dramatically increased the immobility of animals in TST and FST, enhanced the time spent in the open-field peripheral zone of the OFT, and reduced the sucrose preference rate. In addition, SI increased serum levels of corticosterone and hippocampal content of MDA, whereas it reduced hippocampal SOD and CAT activities. Moreover, SI upregulated the expression of IL-10, IL-18, and IL-1β and downregulated the expression of TGF-β in the hippocampus. RES treatment (40 & 80 mg/kg) significantly improved the behavioral alterations through the modulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. The 20 mg/kg RES dose was inefficient for treating SI-induced depressive-like behavior. These results indicated that RES attenuated depressive-like behavior in prolonged stressed animals. These properties might be associated with RES-mediated improvements in serum corticosterone and hippocampal inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers.

Characterization and verification of the Shunt-LDO regulator and its protection circuits for serial powering of the ATLAS and CMS pixel detectors

The Shunt-LDO regulator has been integrated in the ATLAS and the CMS pixel detector RD53 front-end chip to implement the serial powering scheme which both experiments have chosen as the baseline option for the HL-LHC upgrade. The performance of the integrated regulators has been characterized and specific design challenges have been identified which are related to layout parasitics and shallow trench isolation (STI) stress effects. In addition the functionality of circuits which address crucial system level aspects like the protection against overvoltage/overload has been verified.

Modeling prenatal depression in mice: impact of social isolation stress and fluoxetine treatment on in-utero monoaminergic profiles

Modeling prenatal depression in mice: impact of social isolation stress and fluoxetine treatment on in-utero monoaminergic profiles

Effects of voluntary adolescent intermittent alcohol exposure and social isolation on adult alcohol intake in male rats.

Initiating alcohol use in adolescence significantly increases the likelihood of developing adult alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, it has been difficult to replicate adolescent alcohol exposure leading to increased adult alcohol intake across differing preclinical models. In the present study, differentially housed male rats (group vs. single cages) were used to determine the effects of voluntary intermittent exposure of saccharin-sweetened ethanol during adolescence on adult intake of unsweetened 20% ethanol. Adolescent male rats were assigned to group- or isolated-housing conditions and underwent an intermittent 2-bottle choice in adolescence (water only or water vs. 0.2% saccharin/20% ethanol), and again in adulthood (water vs. 20% ethanol). Intermittent 2-bottle choice sessions lasted for 24h, and occurred three days per week, for five weeks. Rats were moved from group or isolated housing to single-housing cages for 2-bottle choice tests and returned to their original housing condition on off days. During adolescence, rats raised in isolated-housing conditions consumed significantly more sweetened ethanol than rats raised in group-housing conditions, an effect that was enhanced across repeated exposures. In adulthood, rats raised in isolated-housing conditions and exposed to sweetened ethanol during adolescence also consumed significantly higher levels of unsweetened 20% ethanol compared to group-housed rats. The effect was most pronounced over the first five re-exposure sessions. Housing conditions alone had little effect on adult ethanol intake. These preclinical results suggest that social isolation stress, combined with adolescent ethanol exposure, may play a key role in adult AUD risk.

Impact of Adolescent Social Isolation on Adult, Binge-Like Ethanol Consumption and Plasma Corticosterone in High-Alcohol-Preferring Mice

Adolescent stress exposure increases the likelihood of alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in adulthood; however, it is not clear how genetic and environmental factors interact to increase risk. This study examined how adolescent social isolation affects adult binge-like ethanol drinking and levels of the stress hormone corticosterone in male and female mice with a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol preference (HAP). Twenty-eight HAP mice were separated into group-housed (GH) and socially isolated (SI) conditions (n = 13, 13). Binge drinking was assessed using a drinking in the dark (DID) procedure. Blood samples were taken before DID and after the 4th (last) day of DID. Overall, adolescent social isolation increased adult binge drinking in a sex-and time-dependent manner. Analysis of Hour 1 intake across the 4 days indicated that SI males drank significantly more than GH males, and this was not the case in females. There was no significant effect of housing for Hour 2. On Day 4, after 2 hours of consumption, social isolation increased drinking regardless of sex. Plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels decreased following drinking, but there were no sex or housing group differences. There were correlations between CORT levels and drinking, but only for SI females. These findings demonstrate that adolescent social isolation promotes binge-like drinking in both male and female adult mice with a genetic predisposition for high alcohol preference; however, this relationship is time-dependent, and males may be more sensitive than females to social isolation stress. Additionally, corticosterone levels change with regard to binge-drinking and sex.

Individualities mediate divergent stress responses and appetite regulation in CNS of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus

In farmed animals, individualities have demonstrated links to health and welfare. However, differential modulation of orexigenic, anorexigenic neuroendocrine and endocrine factors in different individuals with different individualities remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the contribution of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI), anorexigenic and orexigenic signal molecules to the regulation of appetite in different individuals of adult olive flounder exposed to social isolation stress. We employed behavior assays to separate flounder into three behavioural types (proactive- 14%, intermediate- 30% and reactive- 56%). We found marked elevation in plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, and a stronger suppression of feeding post-stress in reactive than other groups. Reactive also had significantly higher CRH and urotensin (UI) mRNA levels in the preoptic area, hypothalamus, hind brain, spinal cord and caudal neurosecretory system (CNSS) than the rest of the groups. Similarly, brain anorexigenic cholecystokinin (CCK), serotonin (5-HT1A) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA levels in the preoptic area, telencephalon, hypothalamus, hind brain and CNSS were all higher in reactive than other groups. Contrary, reactive had lower neuropeptide Y (NPY), ghrelin and prolactin mRNA levels in the preoptic area, telencephalon, hypothalamus and CNSS than other groups. There was no significant difference between proactive and intermediate in all measured parameters. Overall, the results demonstrate that social isolation stress is differentially modulated in different individuals and those CRH-related peptides, anorexigenic and orexigenic signalling molecules contribute to divergent stress response and regulation of appetite in P. olivaceus.

The Mechanism of Oxidative Stress in Cells Isolation, Identification, and Genome-Wide Sequence Analysis of Nitrite Amylolytic Bacillus.

To improve the quality of traditional fermented pickles and reduce the nitrite content in the production process of pickles, the target bacteria for efficient nitrite degradation were screened from traditional fermented pickles. Pickles (picked vegetables), a traditional dish favored by many Chinese, are mildly salted and lactic acid-fermented vegetables in China. However, the presence of nitrite in pickles is a bottleneck which limits further development of the pickle industry. More attention is drawn to the problem of the presence of nitrite in pickles. Having harmful effect in the acidic environment produced by gastric acid, nitrite is converted into carcinogenic nitrosamine. After screening several nitrite-degrading bacteria in the early stage, a Gram-positive round ended Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is named as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JBA-CH9, which can degrade nitrite efficiently. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is a common bacterium in the food fermentation industry. Then, the optimum conditions for nitrite degradation of the strain were explored according to the inoculation amount, temperature and salinity, and the whole genome of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JBA-CH9 was sequenced. The results showed that the strain had the best degradation effect on nitrite under the conditions of inoculation amount of 9%, salinity of 5%, and 30°C, and the highest degradation rate of nitrite was 91.47%. The results of whole genome sequencing showed that the strain had a large number of functional genes related to amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids and contained nitrite reductase genes related to nitrite metabolism. Therefore, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JBA-CH9 is a functional strain that can degrade nitrite efficiently.

A concept analysis of nurses in conflicts after World War II.

We analysed nurses' experiences during military conflicts since World War II. Nurses have successfully reduced morbidity and mortality in populations affected by wars; despite centuries of nurses' global involvement in wars, there is limited knowledge about their experiences. We used Rodger's evolutionary concept analysis methodology to understand the antecedents, attributes, consequences, context and implications of nurses' war-related experiences. We analysed data from quantitative and qualitative research, media reports, editorials, historical reviews and published accounts of nurses' experiences in many locations, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Korea, Kosovo, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Russia, Somalia, Ukraine and Vietnam. Two antecedent conditions preceded nurses' war involvement: actively responding to human suffering and having resources for readiness. Nurses were defined by five attributes: sacrifice, resourcefulness, tunnel-vision, survival mindset and comradery. We also found evidence for seven consequences; nurses saved lives (reduced morbidity and mortality), however, some nurses faced professional burnout/disillusionment, restricted practice authority, isolation and post-traumatic stress after war. In addition, growth and pacifism were consequences for some nurses who were exposed to war. The findings of our concept analysis illustrate how nurses have fulfilled critical life-saving roles, but some nurses' post-war experiences were debilitating, stigmatized and unsupported. We conclude that research about the resourcefulness, innovations and resiliency nurses have developed during wars is essential, and professional support mechanisms must be developed to prevent post-traumatic stress, burnout and attrition from the profession. Governments can use utilize the knowledge nurses developed during wars to expand emergency preparedness skillsets and promote nurses as the leaders of international efforts to promote peace. Patients, service users, caregivers and members of the public were not involved in conducting this concept analysis or preparing the manuscript. By understanding nurses' involvement with post-WWII conflicts, we have demonstrated the significant public health contributions, challenges and personal and professional growth experienced by nurses. Nurses' war-related knowledge should be utilized to innovate healthcare practices during disasters and to advise policymakers in developing, implementing and evaluating peace-promoting operations.

Dysregulation of prefrontal parvalbumin interneurons leads to adult aggression induced by social isolation stress during adolescence.

Social isolation during the juvenile stage results in structural and functional impairment of the brain and deviant adult aggression. However, the specific subregions and cell types that underpin this deviant behavior are still largely unknown. Here, we found that adolescent social isolation led to a shortened latency to attack onset and extended the average attack time, accompanied by anxiety-like behavior and deficits in social preference in adult mice. However, when exposed to social isolation during adulthood, the mice did not show these phenotypes. We also found that the structural plasticity of prefrontal pyramidal neurons, including the dendritic complexity and spine ratio, was impaired in mice exposed to adolescent social isolation. The parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the prefrontal infralimbic cortex (IL) are highly vulnerable to juvenile social isolation and exhibit decreased cell numbers and reduced activation in adulthood. Moreover, chemogenetic inactivation of IL-PV interneurons can mimic juvenile social isolation-induced deviant aggression and social preference. Conversely, artificial activation of IL-PV interneurons significantly attenuated deviant aggression and rescued social preference during adulthood in mice exposed to adolescent social isolation. These findings implicate juvenile social isolation-induced damage to IL-PV interneurons in long-term aggressive behavior in adulthood.

Life under stay-at-home orders: a panel study of change in social interaction and emotional wellbeing among older Americans during COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundRecent research has shown the mental health consequence of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, but longitudinal data are relatively scarce. It is unclear whether the pattern of isolation and elevated stress seen at the beginning of the pandemic persists over time. This study evaluates change in social interaction over six months and its impact on emotional wellbeing among older adults.MethodsWe drew data from a panel study with six repeated assessments of social interaction and emotional wellbeing conducted monthly May through October 2020. The sample included a total of 380 White, Black and Hispanic participants aged 50 and over, of whom 33% had low income, who residing in fourteen U.S. states with active stay-at-home orders in May 2020. The analysis examined how change in living arrangement, in-person interaction outside the household, quality of relationship with family and friends, and perceived social support affected trajectories of isolation stress, COVID worry and sadness.ResultsWhile their living arrangements (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.95, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.87, 1.03) and relationship quality (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.82, 1.01) remained stable, older adults experienced fluctuations in perceived social support (linear Slope b = -1.42, s.e. = 0.16, p < .001, quadratic slope b = 0.50, s.e. = 0.08, p < .001, cubic slope b = -0.04, s.e. = 0.01, p < .001) and increases in in-person conversations outside the household (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.29). Living with a spouse/partner stabilized isolation stress (change in linear slope b = 1.16, s.e. = 0.48, p < .05, in quadratic slope b = -0.62, s.e. = 0.26, p < .05, and in cubic slope = 0.09, s.e. = 0.04, p < .05) and COVID worry (change in quadratic slope b = -0.66, s.e. = 0.32, p < .05 and in cubic slope = 0.09, s.e. = 0.04, p < .05) over time. Individuals with better relationship quality with friends had decreased sadness over time (OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82, 0.99). Changes in social support were associated with greater fluctuations in isolation stress and COVID worry.ConclusionsDuring the pandemic, social interactions are protective and lack of stability in feeling supported makes older adults vulnerable to stress. Efforts should focus on (re)building and maintaining companionship and support to mitigate the pandemic’s negative impact.