Predictors of Mental Health During the COVID Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 409-410
Author(s):  
Helen Lach ◽  
Devita Stallings ◽  
Rebecca Lorenz ◽  
John Taylor ◽  
Janice Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Life Space ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation

Abstract Health professionals have been concerned about mental health of older adults during the COVID pandemic. To explore their experiences, we conducted an online survey of community-dwelling older people to examine their mental health related to stress, based on Pearlin’s Stress Process Model. A snowball approach was used; we sent recruitment e-mails through senior organizations and contacts with e-mail lists of potential participants; there were 504 respondents. We used regression analysis to explore predictors of mental health based on Pearlin’s model. Background characteristics included age (m = 75.7, SD 4.95), gender (77.4% female) and race (White = 93.4%). The CESD-10 provided a measure of mental health. Scores indicated 62.3% of the sample scored in the low range for depressive symptoms and 37.7% in the moderate to high range. Stressors were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale that includes subscales of perceived helplessness and perceived self-efficacy. We also measured perceived social Isolation, and current life space as predictor variables. Results of regressing the CESD-10 onto the set of theoretical predictors revealed that the inclusion both subscales of the Perceived Stress Scale, social isolation, and current life space jointly accounted for approximately 63.0% of the variability in the outcome beyond the baseline model (FChange[4, 449] = 211.15, p < .01), which included age, race, and gender. The model overall, accounted for approximately 66.5% (R2adjusted = 66.0%) of the variability in CESD-10 scores, (F[7, 449] = 127.473, p < .01). Addressing stress among older adults is important to help them maintain positive mental health.

scholarly journals Changes in Health Behaviors, Mental and Physical Health among Older Adults under Severe Lockdown Restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7067
Author(s):  
Esther García-Esquinas ◽  
Rosario Ortolá ◽  
Iago Gine-Vázquez ◽  
José A. Carnicero ◽  
Asier Mañas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Lifestyle Risk

We used data from 3041 participants in four cohorts of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years in Spain collected through a pre-pandemic face-to-face interview and a telephone interview conducted between weeks 7 to 15 after the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. On average, the confinement was not associated with a deterioration in lifestyle risk factors (smoking, alcohol intake, diet, or weight), except for a decreased physical activity and increased sedentary time, which reversed with the end of confinement. However, chronic pain worsened, and moderate declines in mental health, that did not seem to reverse after restrictions were lifted, were observed. Males, older adults with greater social isolation or greater feelings of loneliness, those with poorer housing conditions, as well as those with a higher prevalence of chronic morbidities were at increased risk of developing unhealthier lifestyles or mental health declines with confinement. On the other hand, previously having a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and doing more physical activity protected older adults from developing unhealthier lifestyles with confinement. If another lockdown were imposed during this or future pandemics, public health programs should specially address the needs of older individuals with male sex, greater social isolation, sub-optimal housing conditions, and chronic morbidities because of their greater vulnerability to the enacted movement restrictions.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Reliability, Validity, and Predictive Validity of the Subscales of the Perceived Stress Scale in Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 987-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Jiang ◽  
Elizabeth K. Seng ◽  
Molly E. Zimmerman ◽  
Martin Sliwinski ◽  
Mimi Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Predictive Validity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Stress Scale

scholarly journals SOCIAL ISOLATION AND FALLS RISK AMONG COMMUNITY DWELLING OLDER ADULTS: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF DEPRESSION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S293-S293
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Burr ◽  
Lien Quach
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Falls Risk ◽  
Risk Of Falls ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation

Abstract Relatively little is known about the relationship between social isolation and the risk of falls among older adults. Yet, a considerable amount of research demonstrates that lack of sufficient social relationships, broadly defined, represents a modifiable risk factor for many indicators of well-being in later life. This study examines the association between two types of social isolation and the risk of falls. The study also examines whether depression mediates the association between social isolation and risk of falls. Longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2012) were collected from community-dwelling participants aged 65 and older (N=8,464). The outcome variable was number of falls self-reported over the observation period. Independent variables included perceived isolation (feeling lonely, perceptions of social support), social disconnectedness (e.g., having no friends or relatives living nearby, living alone), and number of depressive symptoms. Results from regression models indicated that social disconnectedness was associated with a 5% increase in the risk of falls (IRR=1.05, 95% CI=1.01-1.09). Perceived social support was associated with a 21% increase in the risk of falls; when examined together, perceived social support and loneliness were associated with a combined 37% increase in falls risk. Depression was associated with a 47% increase in falls. Depression mediated the association between perceived isolation and falls. Further, perceived isolation mediated the association between social disconnectedness and falls. Reducing perceived social isolation and social disconnectedness may be an avenue for designing interventions to reduce the risk of falls, especially for older adults with depression.

scholarly journals Reliability and validity of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 in Hispanic Americans with English or Spanish language preference

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 628-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon H Baik ◽  
Rina S Fox ◽  
Sarah D Mills ◽  
Scott C Roesch ◽  
Georgia Robins Sadler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Hispanic Americans ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Spanish Language ◽  
Language Preference ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Language Groups

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 among 436 community-dwelling Hispanic Americans with English or Spanish language preference. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis examined the factorial invariance of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 across language groups. Results supported a two-factor model (negative, positive) with equivalent response patterns and item intercepts but different factor covariances across languages. Internal consistency reliability of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 total and subscale scores was good in both language groups. Convergent validity was supported by expected relationships of Perceived Stress Scale-10 scores to measures of anxiety and depression. These results support the use of the Perceived Stress Scale-10 among Hispanic Americans.

scholarly journals Higher Perceived Stress Scale Scores Are Associated with Higher Pain Intensity and Pain Interference Levels in Older Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 2350-2356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. White ◽  
Julie Jiang ◽  
Charles B. Hall ◽  
Mindy J. Katz ◽  
Molly E. Zimmerman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Pain Interference ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Scale Scores

scholarly journals Frailty as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Social Isolation and Health Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Mehrabi ◽  
François Béland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This research investigated the effects of social isolation on frailty and health outcomes and tested whether these associations varied across different levels of frailty. We performed a multivariate analysis of data from the first wave of the FRéLE study among 1,643 Canadian older adults aged 65 years and over. We assessed social isolation using social participation, social networks, and support from various social ties, namely, friends, children, extended family, and partner. Frailty predicted disability, comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Less social participation was associated with IADLs, depression, and cognitive decline. The absence of friends was associated with depression and cognitive impairment. Less social support from children and partner was related to comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Overall, social isolation is linked to mental health, rather than physical health. The associations of having no siblings, receiving less support from friends, and participating less in social activities with ADL limitations, depression, and cognitive decline were higher among frail than pre-frail and robust older adults. This study corroborates the pivotal role of social connectedness, particularly the quality of relationships, on the mental health of older adults. Public health policies on social relationships are paramount to ameliorate the health status of frail older adults.

scholarly journals Independent and Combined Associations of Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and Activity Intensities With Perceived Stress Among University Students: Internet-Based Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Ling Tan ◽  
Malte Jetzke ◽  
Vera Vergeld ◽  
Carsten Müller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Sedentary Time ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Scale

BACKGROUND Mental health is an emerging topic on university campuses, with students reporting higher levels of psychological distress than the general population of the same age. Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time have been proved promising measures to promote mental health in the general population. However, to derive and implement effective measures to promote mental health among university students, further exploration of the associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and perceived stress in this specific setting is needed. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and perceived stress after controlling for sociodemographic and behavioral variables among university students in Germany. We hypothesize that perceived stress is inversely related to physical activity and positively associated with sedentary time. Furthermore, we hypothesize that combined associations of concurrently high physical activity and low sedentary time on perceived stress are stronger compared with either alone and that the association between physical activity and perceived stress depends on activity intensity. METHODS We conducted cross-sectional analyses from a large-scale internet-based student health survey (n=4189; response rate=10.0%). Physical activity, sedentary time, and engaging in moderate and vigorous activity intensities were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form with categorization into low, intermediate, and high levels. We measured perceived stress using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (range 0-40). RESULTS The results indicate that higher physical activity and lower sedentary time are associated with reduced levels of perceived stress. Following adjustment for gender, BMI, income, fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality, perceived stress scores were lower for students reporting high physical activity levels and low sedentary time compared with the least active and highly sedentary students (Perceived Stress Scale –2.2, 95% CI –2.9 to –1.5, <i>P</i>&lt;.001 for physical activity and –1.1, CI 95% –1.7 to –0.5, <i>P</i>&lt;.001 for sedentary time). Combined associations with perceived stress revealed that students concurrently reporting high total physical activity and low sedentary time reported the lowest perceived stress scores of all possible combinations following adjustment for confounders (Perceived Stress Scale –3.5, CI 95% –4.6 to –2.5, <i>P</i>&lt;.001 compared with students reporting low physical activity levels and concurrently high sedentary time). Associations between vigorous physical activities and perceived stress were not stronger compared with moderate activity intensities. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported physical activity and low sedentary time are favorably associated with perceived stress, while the intensity of physical activities seems to be of minor importance. These results help to effectively implement health-promoting measures on campus among university students through increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time.

scholarly journals Mental health screening questionnaire: A Study on reliability and correlation with perceived stress score

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 4-8
Author(s):  
P. Sharma ◽  
G. Devkota
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Health Screening ◽  
Mental Health Screening ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Screening Questionnaire ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale

 Introduction: Screening of mental disorders and psychological distress is important in clinical as well as research setting. The objective of this study is to test the reliability of mental health screening questionnaire developed by authors and see its correlation with perceived stress scale scores. Material and Method: A self-report screening instrument was designed by the authors in consultation with experts and was tested for reliability among 162 participants from general population gathered for stress management program. The correlation of the designed scale was tested with the Perceived Stress Scale score. Results: Scale reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) for the designed psychological distress scale was found to be 0.7558 which is regarded as having acceptable internal consistency. The questions of the designed scale had weak to moderate positive correlation with the score on Perceived Stress Scale. Conclusion: Despite many shortcomings of the designed scale we may be able to use it for basic screening of psychological distress and mental health problems. We recommend the validity of scale be tested in larger sample size.

scholarly journals Frailty as a Moderator of the Relationship between Social Isolation and Health Outcomes in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1675
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Mehrabi ◽  
François Béland
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Extended Family ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This research investigated the effects of social isolation on frailty and health outcomes and tested whether these associations varied across different levels of frailty. We performed a multivariate analysis of the first wave of Frailty: A longitudinal study of its expressions (FRéLE) among 1643 Canadian older adults aged 65 years and over. We assessed social isolation using social participation, social networks, and support from various social ties, namely, friends, children, extended family, and partner. Frailty was associated with disability, comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Less social participation was associated with limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), depression, and cognitive decline. The absence of friends was associated with depression and cognitive impairment. Less social support from children and partner was related to comorbidity, depression, and cognitive decline. Overall, social isolation is linked to mental health rather than physical health. The associations of having no siblings, receiving less support from friends, and participating less in social activities with ADL limitations, depression, and cognitive decline were higher among frail than prefrail and robust older adults. This study corroborates the pivotal role of social connectedness, particularly the quality of relationships, on the mental health of older adults. Public health policies on social relationships are paramount to ameliorate the health status of frail older adults.

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