Age and Emotional Distress during COVID-19: Findings from Two Waves of the Norwegian Citizen Panel

Abstract

Older adults face the highest risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. We investigated a one-year change in emotions and factors associated with emotional distress immediately after the onset of the pandemic, with emphasis on older age. Methods: The online Norwegian Citizen Panel includes participants drawn randomly from the Norwegian Population Registry. Emotional distress was defined as the sum score of negative (anxious, worried, sad or low, irritated, and lonely) minus positive emotions (engaged, calm and relaxed, happy). Results: Respondents to both surveys (n = 967) reported a one-year increase in emotional distress, mainly driven by elevated anxiety and worrying, but we found no difference in change by age. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression comparing older age, economy-, and health-related factors showed that persons in their 60s (ß −1.87 (95%CI: −3.71, −0.04)) and 70s/80s (ß: −2.58 (−5.00, −0–17)) had decreased risk of emotional distress relative to persons under 60 years. Female gender (2.81 (1.34, 4.28)), expecting much lower income (5.09 (2.00, 8.17)), uncertainty whether infected with SARS-Cov2 (2.92 (1.21, 4.63)), and high self-rated risk of infection (1.77 (1.01, 2.53)) were associated with high levels of emotional distress. Conclusions: Knowledge of national determinants of distress is crucial to tailor accurate public health interventions in future outbreaks.

Virtual Reality (VR) Technology for Treatment of Mental Health Problems during COVID-19: A Systematic Review

“…There was much psychological and emotional distress among individuals. Studies also observed the change in emotions and factors associated with emotional distress immediately as well as following the onset of the pandemic [8].…”

The impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on well‐being of seniors attending online programs at University of the Third Age: a follow‐up study

“…Increased fear of catching COVID‐19 and dying from COVID‐19 were associated with increased rates of depressive symptoms, higher anxiety levels, and lower life satisfaction 17,18,50,51 . In contrast, in follow‐up studies, the fear of dying from COVID‐19 has increased with age, while the risk of emotional distress, depression and anxiety have decreased 51–53 . Psychological resilience might have substantial impact on responses for anxiety and depression in the COVID‐19 pandemic process.…”

“… 17 , 18 , 50 , 51 In contrast, in follow‐up studies, the fear of dying from COVID‐19 has increased with age, while the risk of emotional distress, depression and anxiety have decreased. 51 , 52 , 53 Psychological resilience might have substantial impact on responses for anxiety and depression in the COVID‐19 pandemic process. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, a significant amount of research was carried out about protection of mental health.…”

Multidisciplinary Student Groups Support Digital Education as a Public Health Precautional Action to Prevent Spread of COVID-19 Infection: A Mixed Methods Study

“…Studies on the fear of transmission, designed to target the first outbreaks of the pandemic, 7 , 9 , 29 , 33–36 , 38 , 40–45 might have stronger impacts due to the “fresh-fear” effect compared with studies capturing subsequent waves. 28 Additionally, the results of studies using headings that included words such as “fear” (eg, the “Fear of COVID-19 Questionnaire” 5 ) may not be comparable to studies using more neutral wordings, such as that used in the present study.…”