Exploring Cross Generational COVID-19 Attitudes and Behaviors

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented extraordinary challenges that have tested the resolve of the world and transformed our daily lives. We sought to capture COVID-related attitudes and behaviors of older adults and relate these to views of adolescents from a national study in the USA. Methods: This mixed-methods online survey accepted responses from adult volunteers, age 55+, from April to July 2020 (N = 223). We used a snowball approach to recruitment initiated in the state of Maine (USA). Results: Older respondents tended to report congruent attitudes concerning COVID-19 risks and associated preventative behaviors. Most reported taking Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance seriously. In contrast, adolescents surveyed in a prior study reported similar adherence, but less concern. Thematic review of open-ended responses highlights key intergenerational similarities and differences. Discussion: COVID-19 has changed day-to-day life in myriad ways. Attitudes vary within and between age groups. Further research could focus on intergenerational differences in motivations underlying behaviors as well as differing needs for public health education and support.