Are older adults also at higher psychological risk from COVID-19?

Abstract

Objective: Given the lack of information on the psychological impact of COVID-19 on people aged !60, we aimed to describe their psychological responses to this pandemic and lockdown situation and compare them with those under 60 years of age. Methods: Secondary analysis of a larger online cross-sectional study designed to determine the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown across Spain. We analyzed a total of 1690 respondents aged !60 years and compared them with 13,363 respondents under 60 years of age. We employed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale and the Impact of Event Scale to evaluate psychological responses. Results: In all, 52.6% of women and 34.3% of men were found to be probable cases of any emotional distress (p < 0.001). In both sexes, the most common psychological response was avoidance behavior (34.7% and 23.8%, respectively), followed by depression (28.5 and 14.2%). Older women and men were considered probable cases of any emotional distress less often than younger ones (women: 52.6% vs. 72.3%, p < 0.001; men: 34.3% vs. 50.6%, p < 0.001). Finally, the results of the binary logistic regression showed that only depressive and stress responses are psychological factors associated with age group [age ! 60 years, O.R. ¼ 0.617 (95% CI ¼ 0.501 À 0.759) and 0.437 (95% CI ¼ 0.334 À 0.573), respectively]. Conclusion: Contrary to our hypothesis and despite the high percentage of emotional distress we found in older adults, especially women, they are actually at lower risk of developing depressive and stress consequences from COVID-19 and lockdown than those under 60 years of age. That said, we believe our results highlight the need for expert guidance in this age group, especially older women living alone.

COVID-19-related social support service closures and mental well-being in older adults and those affected by dementia: a UK longitudinal survey

“…Recent evidence from Spain showed how older adults were less likely to suffer from psychological distress as a result of the pandemic than people aged below 60. 18 Nevertheless, overall the pandemic is having a heightened impact on the mental health of the general population. 19 20 Engaging in social activities can be one avenue to help maintain good mental health.…”

How have older adults reacted to coronavirus disease 2019?

“…Previous studies showed that social isolation has a detrimental effect on the physical and mental health of older people 1, 2 . A recent study conducted after a wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic detected depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in approximately 21% and 2% of individuals, respectively, and found that these symptoms occurred less in older individuals than in younger individuals 3 . In Turkey, a curfew has been declared for people age ≥65 and those with chronic diseases.…”

Exploring the Coping Strategies of Older Persons During COVID-19 Lockdown in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study

“…The fact that religion orients people to the dimensions of self-e cacy provides a way of approaching the disease and the strategy to achieve positive mental health. [22][23]26 In distinguishing the sacred and the profane, Emile Durkheim's writing of The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (1912) noted that the distinction between the sacred and the profane is not subject to the evil/good dichotomy. 40 Thus, COVID-19 and the attendant effects are interpreted as retributive justice (because it threatens the human race) or the effect of an opposing force (evil), which is in contention with the Supreme Being.…”

“…40 Thus, COVID-19 and the attendant effects are interpreted as retributive justice (because it threatens the human race) or the effect of an opposing force (evil), which is in contention with the Supreme Being. 23 In this case, adherents seek forgiveness and protection from the Supreme Being. Seeking forgiveness and protection and believing that one has obtained it has bene ts for positive mental health.…”

“…Religion is the most prominent social factor for adaptation among older persons. 23,24 Religion and its component of spirituality has been found to prevent the decline of immune functioning which fear and anxiety can easily deplete. 25,26 Religion can provide a better perception of wellbeing and can be a trusted source of deriving meaning and purpose, 24,27 which evolves into actual coping behaviors in response to adverse conditions, as re ected during COVID-19 lockdown.…”