Bring it on Covid-19: being an older person in developing countries during a pandemic
ISSN: 1366-3666
Article publication date: 14 December 2020
Issue publication date: 14 December 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the respective risk perception toward the Covid-19 pandemic among the elderly in two developing countries and their lifestyle change and adaptation behavior as a result of that.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 22 in-depth interviews were conducted among people aged 60 to 85 in Iran and India. The interview guideline was based on two constructs inspired by the study of Gerhold (2020) – risk perception of the pandemic and change in lifestyle and adaptation to the pandemic situation.
Findings
The results showed that although the majority of the interviewees initially experienced fear and anxiety during the stay-at-home order and the pandemic situation at large, they quickly adapted to the new situation with behavioral and attitudinal changes in ways relevant to the new normal. The results confirmed the maturation hypothesis proposed by Knight et al. (2000).
Originality/value
This paper is an original study of the researchers and among the first contributing to the literature of the elderly studies in developing countries. It contributes to the knowledge required for future behavioral studies concerning the Covid-19 pandemic by evaluating the experiences, risk perception and adaptation approaches of the older people in India and Iran.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to sincerely thank all senior citizens who participated in this study.Funding : The authors have not received any funding for this research.
Citation
Sattari, S. and Billore, S. (2020), "Bring it on Covid-19: being an older person in developing countries during a pandemic", Working with Older People, Vol. 24 No. 4, pp. 281-291. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-06-2020-0030
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited