Objectives Physical distancing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 has increased alone time, with unintended mental health ramifications including increased loneliness, which may be particularly detrimental for older adults. We investigated time-varying associations between daily time to oneself and loneliness, and the role of everyday creativity as a resource. Method 126 adults aged 18–84 completed online questionnaires including a 10-day daily diary module, during which they self-reported alone time, everyday creativity, and loneliness. Data were analyzed using multilevel models, controlling for study day, participation date, gender, and relationship status. Results Greater average amounts of alone time were associated with greater loneliness, an association that was stronger in old age. In a daily context, individuals reported feeling lonelier on days when they had more time to themselves than usual. This within-person association was weaker with older age. Everyday creativity did not moderate alone time–loneliness associations. However, holding time to oneself constant, participants felt less lonely and less bothered by alone time on days when they were more creative than usual. Discussion Participating in creative behaviors (e.g., pursuing arts and crafts) might be linked with reduced loneliness. Intervention studies are needed to investigate whether fostering creativity could help promote mental well-being in times when people, especially older adults, are vulnerable to loneliness and associated health risks.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19、独处的时间和孤独：创造力作为一种资源

目标 保持身体距离以减少 2019 年冠状病毒病的传播增加了独处时间，带来了意想不到的心理健康后果，包括孤独感增加，这可能对老年人特别有害。我们调查了每天与自己相处的时间与孤独感之间的时变关联，以及日常创造力作为一种资源的作用。方法 126 名 18-84 岁的成年人完成了在线问卷调查，包括一个为期 10 天的每日日记模块，在此期间他们自我报告了独处时间、日常创造力和孤独感。使用多级模型分析数据，控制研究日、参与日期、性别和关系状态。结果 更多的平均独处时间与更大的孤独感相关，这种关联在老年时更为强烈。在日常环境中，个人报告说，在他们比平时有更多时间独处的日子里会感到更孤独。这种人际关联随着年龄的增长而减弱。日常创造力并没有缓和孤独的时间-孤独感。然而，如果保持自己的时间不变，参与者在比平时更有创造力的日子里不会感到孤独，也不会被独处时间所困扰。讨论 参与创造性行为（例如，追求艺术和手工艺）可能与减少孤独感有关。需要进行干预研究，以调查在人们（尤其是老年人）容易受到孤独和相关健康风险影响的时候，培养创造力是否有助于促进心理健康。日常创造力并没有缓和孤独的时间-孤独感。然而，如果保持自己的时间不变，参与者在比平时更有创造力的日子里不会感到孤独，也不会被独处时间所困扰。讨论 参与创造性行为（例如，追求艺术和手工艺）可能与减少孤独感有关。需要进行干预研究，以调查在人们（尤其是老年人）容易受到孤独和相关健康风险影响的时候，培养创造力是否有助于促进心理健康。日常创造力并没有缓和孤独的时间-孤独感。然而，如果保持自己的时间不变，参与者在比平时更有创造力的日子里不会感到孤独，也不会被独处时间所困扰。讨论 参与创造性行为（例如，追求艺术和手工艺）可能与减少孤独感有关。需要进行干预研究，以调查在人们（尤其是老年人）容易受到孤独和相关健康风险影响的时候，培养创造力是否有助于促进心理健康。追求艺术和手工艺）可能与减少孤独感有关。需要进行干预研究，以调查在人们（尤其是老年人）容易受到孤独和相关健康风险影响的时候，培养创造力是否有助于促进心理健康。追求艺术和手工艺）可能与减少孤独感有关。需要进行干预研究，以调查在人们（尤其是老年人）容易受到孤独和相关健康风险影响的时候，培养创造力是否有助于促进心理健康。