Alcohol use and mental health among older American adults during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract We investigated the association of self-reported changes in alcohol consumption with the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic among middle-aged and older US adults. Between April and May 2020, 6,938 US adults aged 55+ completed online questionnaires in the COVID-19 Coping Study, a national cohort study of older adults’ mental health and well-being. Multinomial logistic regression estimated self-reported changes in the frequency of alcohol consumption relative to before the pandemic, according to anxiety (5-item Beck Anxiety Inventory), depression (8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and loneliness (3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale). All models were population-weighted and adjusted for confounders. Nearly half (46%) of adults reported drinking 1-7 drinks/week prior to the pandemic, 12% reported drinking 8+ drinks/week, and 42% reported not drinking. One in five adults (21%) reported a change in their alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic, while 38% indicated they were drinking the same amount, and 42% reported not drinking alcohol. Older adults who screened positive for each of anxiety, depression, and loneliness reported drinking more than usual (OR=1.92; 95% CI: 1.92–1.93 for anxiety; OR=2.67; 95% CI: 2.67–2.68 for depression; OR=2.46; 95% CI: 2.45–2.46 for loneliness), compared to drinking the same as before the pandemic. These results demonstrate potentially negative changes in alcohol intake among middle-aged and older adults experiencing mental health symptomology during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Download Full-text

Assessing Longitudinal Invariance of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Journal of Nursing Measurement ◽

10.1891/1061-3749.23.2.302 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 302-314 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mulubrhan F. Mogos ◽

Jason W. Beckstead ◽

Kevin E. Kip ◽

Mary E. Evans ◽

Roger A. Boothroyd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Factor Model ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Partial Invariance ◽

Best Fitting

Background and Purpose: The longitudinal invariance of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale among middle-aged and older adults is unknown. This study examined the factorial invariance of the CES-D scale in a large cohort of community-based adults longitudinally. Methods: 1,204 participants completed the 20-item CES-D scale at 4 time points 1 year apart. Structural equation modeling was used to identify best fitting model using longitudinal data at baseline and at 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-up. Results: The 4-factor model showed partial invariance over 3 years. Two of the 6 noninvariant items were consistently noninvariant at the 3 follow-up points. Conclusion: Special consideration should be given to these 2 items when using the CES-D scale in healthy adults (45–75 years old).

Download Full-text

Subjective well-being and mental health during the pandemic outbreak: Exploring the role of institutional trust

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/0164027520975145 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 016402752097514

Author(s):

Sunwoo Lee

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

News Media ◽

Well Being ◽

Institutional Trust ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cross Sectional Design ◽

The Relationship

This study examined the relationship between material adversities due to pandemic crisis, institutional trust, and subjective well-being and mental health among middle-aged and older adults aged 50+ in Europe. The study used a cross-sectional design to examine Eurofound COVID-19 survey data collected from 27 European countries in April 2020. A total of 31,757 European middle aged and older adults aged 50 + were analyzed (Mean = 59.99, SD = 7.03). Analysis focused on the financial impact and material security in relation to pandemic lockdown, institutional trust (news media, police, national government, European Union, and healthcare system), and subjective well-being and mental health. Regression analysis indicated perceived insecurity in employment and housing, worsening finances, and difficulty paying for basic necessities were significantly related to respondents’ life satisfaction, happiness, self-rated health, mental health index, and psychological distress. Institutional trust partially mediated the relationship between perceived adversities and subjective well-being and mental health.

Download Full-text

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, social connectedness and cognitive performance of older adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.3492 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 979-979

Author(s):

Juliana Souza-Talarico ◽

Fernanda Silva ◽

Maria Clara Jesus ◽

Breno J A P Barbosa ◽

Ricardo Nitrini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Daily Routine ◽

Main Routine ◽

The Impact

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted older adult's health and well-being worldwide. We explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily activities and mental health and its relationship with cognitive performance in older adults. Methods One-hundred individuals 60 years and older, without cognitive impairment and enrolled in the Brazilian Memory Study (BRAMS), a longitudinal study, were applied the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Participants were asked whether they had changes in daily routine and social connectedness during the pandemic. Results Almost half of the participants (48.4%) reported that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected their lives, 38.9% lost a relative or friend because of COVID-19, and 60% had daily routine changes. Relationships (40.5%) and emotion (22%) were reported as the most impacted area. Stopping physical activities and stay at home represented the main routine changed for 78% of participants. The use of voice messages through mobile phones to maintain social connectedness increased from 24.2% to 42.1%. For 38% of participants, their autonomy to daily decisions decreased, and 40% complained that memory got worse during the pandemic. More than 30% felt more stress, loneliness, or depression than in the pre-pandemic period. Controlling for age, sex, and education, higher loneliness scores were significantly associated with low MMES scores (p = 0.018). Conclusion Significant changes in life, daily routine, social connectedness, and mental health-related to the COVID-19 pandemic were reported by older adult participants. Loneliness was associated with lower cognitive performance.

Download Full-text

Psychosocial Well-Being Associated With Activity of Daily Living Stages Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine ◽

10.1177/2333721417700011 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. 233372141770001 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ling Na ◽

Joel E. Streim

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Life ◽

Daily Living ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Activity Of Daily Living ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Latent Factor Models

Objectives: Activity of daily living (ADL) stages demonstrated ordered associations with risk of chronic conditions, hospitalization, nursing home use, and mortality among community-living elderly. This article explores the association of stages with psychosocial well-being. We hypothesized that higher ADL stages (greater ADL limitation) are associated with more restricted social networks, less perceived social support, greater social isolation, and poorer mental health. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project ( N = 3,002) were analyzed in regression models and latent factor models. Results: Although ADL stages had a nearly monotonic relationship with most mental health measures (e.g., Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]), only the complete limitation stage (Stage IV) showed significant disadvantage in the majority of social network measures. Discussion: The study may aid clinicians and policy makers to better understand the social and mental health needs of older adults at different ADL stages and provide well-planned social and mental health care.

Download Full-text

Age differences in trajectories of depressive, anxiety, and burnout symptoms in a population with a high likelihood of persistent occupational distress

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610220001751 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

Celia F. Hybels ◽

Dan G. Blazer ◽

David E. Eagle ◽

Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Maslach Burnout Inventory ◽

Well Being ◽

Personal Accomplishment ◽

Working Adults ◽

Spiritual Well Being ◽

Patient Health ◽

Over Time

Abstract Objectives: Work in occupations with higher levels of occupational stress can bring mental health costs. Many older adults worldwide are continuing to work past traditional retirement age, raising the question whether older adults experience depression, anxiety, or burnout at the same or greater levels as younger workers, and whether there are differences by age in these levels over time. Design/setting/participants: Longitudinal survey of 1161 currently employed US clergy followed every 6–12 months for up to 66 months. Measurements: Depression was measured with the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). Anxiety was measured using the anxiety component of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Burnout symptoms were assessed using the three components of the Maslach Burnout Inventory: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and sense of personal accomplishment (PA). Results: Older participants had lower scores of depression, anxiety, EE, and DP and higher levels of PA over time compared to younger adults. Levels of EE decreased for older working adults, while not significantly changing over time for those younger. DP symptoms decreased over time among those 55 years or older but increased among those 25–54 years. Conclusions: Older working adults may have higher levels of resilience and be able to balance personal life with their occupation as well as may engage in certain behaviors that increase social support and, for clergy, spiritual well-being that may decrease stress in a way that allows these older adults to appear to tolerate working longer without poorer mental health outcomes.

Download Full-text

Cohort profile: the COVID-19 Coping Study, a longitudinal mixed-methods study of middle-aged and older adults’ mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044965 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. e044965

Author(s):

Lindsay C Kobayashi ◽

Brendan Q O’Shea ◽

Jasdeep S Kler ◽

Raphael Nishimura ◽

Caroline B Palavicino-Maggio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Well Being ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

Leave Of Absence ◽

The Usa ◽

Life Circumstances ◽

Health And Well Being

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in early 2020, has resulted in massive social, economic, political and public health upheaval around the world. We established a national longitudinal cohort study, the COVID-19 Coping Study, to investigate the effects of pandemic-related stressors and changes in life circumstances on mental health and well-being among middle-aged and older adults in the USA.ParticipantsFrom 2 April to 31 May 2020, 6938 adults aged ≥55 years were recruited from all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico using online, multi-frame non-probability-based sampling.Findings to dateMean age of the baseline sample was 67.3 years (SD: 7.9 years) and 64% were women. Two in three adults reported leaving home only for essential purposes in the past week (population-weighted proportion: 69%; 95% CI: 68% to 71%). Nearly one in five workers aged 55–64 years was placed on a leave of absence or furloughed since the start of the pandemic (17%; 95% CI: 14% to 20%), compared with one in three workers aged ≥75 years (31%; 95% CI: 21% to 44%). Nearly one-third of adults screened positive for each of depression (32%; 95% CI: 30% to 34%), anxiety (29%; 28% to 31%) and loneliness (29%; 95% CI: 27% to 31%), with decreasing prevalence of each with increasing age.Future plansMonthly and annual follow-ups of the COVID-19 Coping Study cohort will assess longitudinal changes to mental health, cognitive health and well-being in relation to social, behavioural, economic and other COVID-19-related changes to life circumstances. Quantitative and in-depth qualitative interview data will be collected through online questionnaires and telephone interviews. Cohort data will be archived for public use.

Download Full-text

Type of tea consumption and depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/s12877-021-02203-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yao Yao ◽

Huashuai Chen ◽

Lele Chen ◽

Sang-Yhun Ju ◽

Huazhen Yang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Green Tea ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Sensitivity Analyses ◽

Tea Consumption ◽

Chinese Older Adults

Abstract Background Existing research indicates that tea drinking may exert beneficiary effects on mental health. However, associations between different types of tea intake and mental health such as depression have not been fully examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of green tea, fermented tea, and floral tea consumption with depressive symptoms. Methods We used data from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, a nationwide survey on older adults in mainland China. A total of 13,115 participants (mean age 83.7 years, 54.2% were women) with valid responses were included in the analysis. The type (green, fermented [black, Oolong, white, yellow, dark, and compressed teas], and floral) and the frequency of tea consumption were recorded, and depressive symptoms were assessed using 10-item of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10). We examined the associations between the type and the frequency of tea intake and depression, controlling for a set of demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, behavioral, and health-related variables. Results Overall, intakes of green tea, fermented tea, and floral tea were all significantly associated with lower prevalence of depressive symptoms, independent of other risk factors. Compared with the group of no tea intake, the adjusted ORs of depressive symptoms for daily green tea, fermented tea, and floral tea intake were 0.85 (95% CI: 0.76–0.95), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.76–0.99), and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.59–0.82), respectively. Linear associations were observed between the frequencies of all three types of tea intake and depressive symptoms (P < 0.05 for trends for all three types). The associations of the type and the frequency of tea intake and depressive symptoms were robust in several sensitivity analyses. Conclusions Among Chinese older adults, regularly consumed any type of tea (green, fermented, or floral) were less likely to show depressive symptoms, the associations seemed more pronounced among floral tea and green tea drinkers.

Download Full-text

Loneliness and Depression among Women in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182010698 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (20) ◽

pp. 10698

Author(s):

Anna Idzik ◽

Anna Leńczuk-Gruba ◽

Ewa Kobos ◽

Mariola Pietrzak ◽

Beata Dziedzic

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Adult Women ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Short Period ◽

Scale Scores ◽

Anxiety Depression

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes in the functioning of people all over the world in a short period of time. According to a WHO report (2020), it is women who are at a particular risk of the negative effects of the pandemic, especially in terms of mental health. Aim of study: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depression, irritability, and loneliness among adult women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on a representative sample of women in Poland (n = 452). The data were collected using the HADS-M scale and the R-UCLA scale. Results: A low level of loneliness was found in 37.3% of the women, moderate in 38.9%, moderately high in 22.3% and very high in 1.3% of women. Self-rating of physical and mental health was significantly positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and irritability in HADS-M, and loneliness in R-UCLA. As the severity of loneliness increased, so did Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores on all subscales (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study group presented with mental well-being disorders in the form of anxiety and depression. Two in three women experienced loneliness.

Download Full-text

Intergenerational Relationships, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being Among Korean Older Adults

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.1172 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 302-302

Author(s):

Janet Wilmoth ◽

Yooumi Lee

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Adult Child ◽

Intergenerational Relationships ◽

Well Being ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Older Parents

Abstract Using longitudinal data from the 2006 to 2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, this study explores depression trajectories among individuals who are 60 or older with at least one living adult child at baseline. We estimated linear growth curve models of depression trajectories separately for married, unmarried and widowed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results indicate that declining health and recent widowhood are positively related to depressive symptoms. Satisfactory intergenerational relationships and social support in the form of caregiving decrease depressive symptoms of older parents, especially among the widowed. Having at least one son and a first-born daughter positively impact psychological well-being of older parents. A son was particularly important for those who are widowed. We conclude that the psychological benefits of intergenerational relationships and social support are contingent upon the vulnerability of Korean older adults and discuss the implications for public policy.

Download Full-text

Filial Piety, Living Arrangements, and Well-being of Urban Older Adults in Southern China

Asian Social Science ◽

10.5539/ass.v14n6p21 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 21 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yong Tang ◽

Nancy Hooyman

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Activities Of Daily Living ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Daily Living ◽

Filial Piety ◽

Southern China ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Well Being ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Urban China

This article examines the living arrangements and well-being of older adults in urban China. It draws upon the concept of filial piety and intergenerational care models to interpret findings regarding five different living arrangements for urban older adults: living alone (with a spouse or not), living with a son, living with a daughter, living in an institution (public or private), and other. Well-being is measured by activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and self-rated health questionnaires and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The findings have implications for policy makers addressing living arrangements and community-based care services for older adults.

Download Full-text