Jeanne Koller, Ph.D., LCSW, assistant professor in the School of Social Work, co-authored two research study articles pertaining to life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both articles were recently published in refereed journals.
Koller collaborated with B. Lynn Hutchings of Marywood University and Joelle Zabotka, associate professor in the School of Social Work at Monmouth University, to conduct the cross-sectional study, “Older Adult Residents in Cohousing Communities: Impact and Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which was published in the “Journal of Aging and Environment.” The article explores the experiences of older adults residing in cohousing communities in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked to self-report about the communities’ restrictions, their own social/physical distancing with others, physical health, social contact, activities, isolation, feeling left out, and feelings of loneliness to capture different aspects of their lives.
The second article, “Social Work Students and COVID-19: Impact across Life Domains,” was published in the “Journal of Social Work Education.” This study captured experiences of MSW and BSW students during COVID-19 across a number of life domains: class, field (internship placements), personal coping and well-being, home life, and employment. An electronic survey was distributed to students from two universities and, based on the findings, key areas for educator and program self-reflection are offered.