Differences in Multi-Faceted Lifestyles in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Depression and Quality of Life of Older Adults in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on 11 March 2020, due to the number of newly reported confirmed cases and the rapid increase in deaths. Therefore, countries around the world limited their population to policies such as “social distancing” or “staying at home” to prevent the spread of the virus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in lifestyle pre and post the outbreak COVID-19 among older adults in South Korea and to identify the impact of lifestyle differences on depression and quality of life. Methods: An online single questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, lifestyle details, depression status, and quality of life level was distributed using mailing lists and social media. To assess lifestyles differences in older people pre and post the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the online single questionnaire was used post COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the participants’ memories, they responded lifestyles at two time points (pre and post COVID-19 pandemic). Results: The results showed that there was a significant decrease in physical activity and activity participation during the pandemic. In terms of nutrition, there was no statistically significant change pre and post the outbreak COVID-19, except for the intake of protein, fat, and vitamins. Additionally, the results showed that the resulting lifestyle differences seem to have had a negative impact on depression and quality of life among older adults in South Korea. Conclusion: There was a significant difference the lifestyle patterns among the participants in South Korea between the current period and pre COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it is observed that these differenced lifestyles were associated with depression and quality of life among the participants. Our findings may help to develop public health programs that support healthy lifestyles in pandemic conditions.

Depression in older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A systematic review

“…Moreover, being dependent limits the performance of social activities, recreation, and physical exercise, which are predictors of better mental health. In this review, seven studies reported an association between increased depressive symptoms and less physical exercise, 16,27,33,35,36,99,100 which is supported by pre-pandemic studies. 83,96 Likewise, seven studies in this review associate physical activity or exercise as a protective factor for depression.…”

“…Similarly, good to excellent internal consistency was reported for the PHQ‐9 (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83–0.92) 44 . The Center for Epidemiological Studies‐Depression Scale (CES‐D) was also administered remotely and yielded (Cronbach's alpha values of 0.78–0.82) 62,99 . One study assessed ruminations using the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) by phone call, and reported a Cronbach's alpha of 0.77 110 .…”

“…The clinical conditions associated with depressive symptoms were malnutrition, 43,71,99 poor sleep quality, 16,27,59,63,124,125 and higher levels of anxiety 50 stress, 43,49 pre-existing medical conditions, and self-reported pain as well as lower levels of self-reported health. Similar findings were reported in prepandemic studies (malnutrition 96,126,127 ; worse sleep quality 74,[128][129][130][131] ; anxiety 86,132,133 ).…”

Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score und der Short Form 36-Item Health Survey als Prädiktoren aktueller depressiver Störungen bei Patienten mit antineutrophile-zytoplasmatische-Antikörper-assoziierter Vaskulitis während der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie

“…Since the first half of 2020, the world has been facing the effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic; wearing face masks in public places has become compulsory, and maintaining distance between people has become a daily routine. Relative isolation, uncertainty and unpredictability may cause mental health problems in the general population and are closely related to an increase in the frequency of depression [ 11 , 12 ]. In the same context, it can be assumed that there may be an increase in the frequency and severity of depressive disorders in AAV patients during the pandemic.…”

Incidência da Depressão após a pandemia no Brasil

“…Essas evidências são reforçadas por outros estudos que externalizam as políticas nacionais como o distanciamento social e a restrição da atividade física principalmente de idosos. Constatou-se a partir disso que a cessação da atividade física durante e após o período de isolamento corrobora para o aumento da incidência de depressão, principalmente na faixa etária de risco(PARK et al, 2021). Diante do exposto,Kringle et al (2020) aponta que uma das principais justificativas para a elevação da incidência de depressão no mundo é a perpetuação do estresse ocasionado pelo isolamento social em decorrência do período pandêmico associado a isso a restrição do trabalho, a impossibilidade de ver seus familiares pessoalmente e de estar inserido no âmbito social foram aspectos incisivos que afetaram consideravelmente a saúde mental.…”