Mental health crisis under COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, China

Zhao, Sheng Zhi; Wong, Janet Yuen Ha; Luk, Tzu Tsun; Wai, Abraham Ka Chung; Lam, Tai Hing; Wang, Man Ping

doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.030

Cited by 93 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Moreover, 15 (11.1%) studies included persons with specific conditions such as Alzheimer disease [ 33 - 35 ], Parkinson disease [ 36 ], frontotemporal lobar degeneration [ 37 ], severe cognitive impairments [ 38 ], ovarian cancer [ 39 ], gynecological cancer [ 40 ], patients with cancer actively treated with systemic therapy [ 41 ], pre-existing depression [ 42 ], chronic conditions [ 43 ], long-term respiratory conditions [ 44 ], migraine [ 45 ], epilepsy [ 46 ], and visual impairments [ 47 ]. A total of 29 (21.5%) studies were conducted in North America [ 40 , 42 , 43 , 48 - 73 ], 14 (10.3%) in China [ 46 , 74 - 86 ], 61 (45.1%) in Europe [ 33 - 38 , 41 , 44 , 87 - 139 ], 3 (2.2%) in Japan [ 140 - 142 ], 4 (3.0%) in Israel [ 143 - 146 ], 4 (3.0%) in Brazil [ 147 - 150 ], 4 (3.0%) in Australia [ 151 - 154 ], 2 (1.5%) in India [ 155 , 156 ], 1 (0.7%) in Malaysia [ 157 ], 2 (1.5%) in Kuwait [ 45 , 158 ], 1 (0.7%) in Saudi Arabia [ 159 ], 3 (2.2%) in Argentina [ 160 - 162 ], 1 (0.7%) in Cameroon [ 163 ], 1 (0.7%) in Russia [ 164 ], 1 (0.7%) in Ghana [ 47 ], 1 (0.7% in Cyprus [ 165 ], and 3 (2.2%) in multiple countries [ 39 , 166 , 167 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Older adults were also shown to be better at regulating their emotions and coping with stressful events [ 44 , 61 , 68 ]. In contrast, 6 (4.4%) studies reported that older adults had more severe psychological symptoms than participants of other age groups [ 83 , 85 , 86 , 96 , 118 , 156 ], and some studies noted no psychological symptoms for most participants [ 42 , 79 , 119 , 165 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review

Lebrasseur¹,

Fortin-Bédard²,

Lettre³

et al. 2021

JMIR Aging

213

169

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the lives of countless members of the general population. Older adults are known to experience loneliness, age discrimination, and excessive worry. It is therefore reasonable to anticipate that they would experience greater negative outcomes related to the COVID-19 pandemic given their increased isolation and risk for complications than younger adults. Objective This study aims to synthesize the existing research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated isolation and protective measures, on older adults. The secondary objective is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated isolation and protective measures, on older adults with Alzheimer disease and related dementias. Methods A rapid review of the published literature was conducted on October 6, 2020, through a search of 6 online databases to synthesize results from published original studies regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. The Human Development Model conceptual framework–Disability Creation Process was used to describe and understand interactions between personal factors, environmental factors, and life habits. Methods and results are reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Statement. Results A total of 135 records were included from the initial search strategy of 13,452 individual studies. Of these, 113 (83.7%) studies were determined to be of level 4 according to the levels of evidence classification by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. The presence of psychological symptoms, exacerbation of ageism, and physical deterioration of aged populations were reported in the included studies. Decreased social life and fewer in-person social interactions reported during the COVID-19 pandemic were occasionally associated with reduced quality of life and increased depression. Difficulties accessing services, sleep disturbances, and a reduction of physical activity were also noted. Conclusions Our results highlight the need for adequate isolation and protective measures. Older adults represent a heterogeneous group, which could explain the contradictory results found in the literature. Individual, organizational, and institutional strategies should be established to ensure that older adults are able to maintain social contacts, preserve family ties, and maintain the ability to give or receive help during the current pandemic. Future studies should focus on specific consequences and needs of more at-risk older adults to ensure their inclusion, both in public health recommendations and considerations made by policy makers.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review

Lebrasseur¹,

Fortin-Bédard²,

Lettre³

et al. 2021

JMIR Aging

213

169

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…During the COVID-19 pandemic, adults aged 60 years or older in Hong Kong had a significantly higher risk of exhibiting anxiety symptoms compared to the general population [ 16 ]. Challenges are presented to older adults, who may respond to the pandemic and social media differently.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consuming Information Related to COVID-19 on Social Media Among Older Adults and Its Association With Anxiety, Social Trust in Information, and COVID-Safe Behaviors: Cross-sectional Telephone Survey

Wong¹,

Liu²,

Leung³

et al. 2021

J Med Internet Res

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Background COVID-19-related information on social media is overabundant and sometimes questionable, resulting in an “infodemic” during the pandemic. While previous studies suggest social media usage increases the risk of developing anxiety symptoms, how induced anxiety affects attitudes and behaviors is less discussed, let alone during a global pandemic. Little is known about the relationship between older adults using social media during a pandemic and their anxiety, their attitudes toward social trust in information, and behaviors to avoid contracting COVID-19. Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the associations between using social media for COVID-19-related information and anxiety symptoms as well as the mediation effect of anxiety symptoms on social trust in information and COVID-safe behaviors among older adults. Methods A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Hong Kong between May and August 2020. A rapid warm-call protocol was developed to train social workers and volunteers from participant nongovernmental organizations to conduct the telephone surveys. Questions related to COVID-safe behaviors, social trust in information, social media use, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic information were asked. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at the community level was used to account for the risk of contracting COVID-19. Ordinary least squares regressions examined the associations between social media use and anxiety symptoms, and how they were associated with social trust in information and COVID-safe behaviors. Structural equation modeling further mapped out these relationships to identify the mediation effects of anxiety symptoms. Results This study collected information regarding 3421 adults aged 60 years and older. Use of social media for COVID-19-related information was associated with more anxiety symptoms and lower social trust in information but had no significant relationship with COVID-safe behaviors. Anxiety symptoms predicted lower social trust in information and higher COVID-safe behaviors. Lower social trust in information was predicted by using social media for COVID-19 information, mediated by anxiety symptoms, while no mediation effect was found for COVID-safe behaviors. Conclusions Older adults who rely on social media for COVID-19-related information exhibited more anxiety symptoms, while showing mixed effects on attitudes and behaviors. Social trust in information may be challenged by unverified and contradictory information online. The negligible impact on COVID-safe behaviors suggested that social media may have caused more confusion than consolidating a consistent effort against the pandemic. Media literacy education is recommended to promote critical evaluation of COVID-19-related information and responsible sharing among older adults.

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“…Older adults were also shown to be better at regulating their emotions and coping with stressful events [44,61,68]. In contrast, 6 (4.4%) studies reported that older adults had more severe psychological symptoms than participants of other age groups [83,85,86,96,118,156], and some studies noted no psychological symptoms for most participants [42,79,119,165].…”

Section: Personal Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review (Preprint)

Lebrasseur¹,

Fortin-Bédard²,

Lettre³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has caused drastic changes in the lives of the general population. Older adults are known to experience loneliness, age discrimination, and excessive worrying. It was therefore apprehended that they would experience greater negative outcomes related to the COVID-19 pandemic given their increased isolation and risks of complications. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to synthesize the existing research regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated isolation and protective measures, on older adults. METHODS A rapid review of the published literature was conducted on October 6, 2020, through a search in six online databases to synthesize results from published original studies regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. The Human Development Model conceptual framework – Disability Creation Process (HDM-DCP) was used to describe and understand interactions between personal factors, environmental factors, and life habits. Methods and results are reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. RESULTS 116 records were included from the initial search strategy of 9,593 individual papers. Ninety-six of 116 studies were determined to be level 4 according to the CEBM levels of evidence. The presence of psychological symptoms, the exacerbation of ageism, and the physical deterioration of aged populations have been noted. Decreased social life and fewer in-person social interactions reported during the pandemic were occasionally associated with reduced quality of life and increased depression. Difficulties accessing services, sleep disturbances and a reduction of physical activity were also noted. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the need for adequate isolation and protective measures. Older adults represent a heterogeneous group, which could explain the contradictory results found in the literature. Individual, organizational and institutional strategies should be put in place to assure that older adults are able to maintain social contacts, preserve family ties, and maintain the ability to give or receive help during this pandemic. Future studies should focus on specific consequences and needs of more at-risk older adults to ensure their inclusion, both in public health recommendations and consideration by policy makers. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO ID: CRD42020201814

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Mental health crisis under COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, China

Cited by 93 publications

References 10 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review

Consuming Information Related to COVID-19 on Social Media Among Older Adults and Its Association With Anxiety, Social Trust in Information, and COVID-Safe Behaviors: Cross-sectional Telephone Survey

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review (Preprint)

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