Covid-19 infodemic on older people with access to digital media: factors associated with psychopathological alterations

Abstract

Objective to analyze the sociodemographic profile and COVID-19 infodemic’s repercussions on psychopathological alterations in older people with access to digital media. Method cross-sectional study by web-based survey in the population over 60 years old who use digital media. Descriptive analysis considered sociodemographic variables and other variables related to exposure to information about COVID-19; a set of signs and symptoms to psychopathological alterations due to this exposure were analyzed. Data analyzed by the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results a total of 470 older people were included in the survey, 61.3% aged 60 to 69 years, 67.2% female, 71.1% white race/color and 41.3% with higher education. 89.4% of respondents be exposed to news and information about COVID-19 on television, and 71.3% on social network. The most cited psychic symptoms were feeling worried (76.9%), fear of death of dear people (76.8%) and fear of getting sick (74%). Psychopathological alterations were observed in 3.8% of women and 5.9% of men. These sign and symptoms were associated with a lower level of education, a decrease in post-pandemic income and felt affected by the news about COVID-19 on social networks. Conclusion COVID-19 infodemic is associated with psychopathological alterations in older people. Even with the increase in access to social networks, the main media used by older people is television. Strategies for digital inclusion and literacy should be developed, offering tools for older people to fight the COVID-19 infodemic.

The mental health of the elderly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: cognitive, emotional, and social/behavioral aspects

“…Dysfunctional beliefs about health can lead to misinterpretations of bodily sensations, increasing the risk of anxiety and panic attacks. This affects both people with preexisting mental disorders and the general population (Kitamura et al, 2022).…”

University Open to Older People: factors associated with the use of information and communication technologies

“…A utilização dos meios de comunicação virtual cresce a cada dia, principalmente em pessoas acima de 60 anos ou mais, que representam 11,4% da população. Sobretudo nos idosos, provavelmente devido à evolução na facilidade e acessibilidade de uso dessas tecnologias, esse crescimento foi mais notável (1) .…”