scholarly journals Changes in Modes of Social Contact and Their Links With Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 539-539
Author(s):  
Laura Finch ◽  
Louise Hawkley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Media Messages ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing has been emphasized for older adults because of their greater physical health risks. Using data from the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP), we examined how older adults may have changed their frequency of contact with others via various modes (i.e., in-person, phone calls, messages, and video calls) since the pandemic started, and how these choices may be impacting their mental health. From September 2020 through January 2021, NSHAP respondents (N=2,554 age 50-94 with data from 2015-16) completed a survey via web, phone, or paper-and-pencil. Although some older adults reported reducing their in-person contact with out-of-household family (38%) and friends (40%) since the pandemic started, some also increased contact with them via remote modes such as phone calls (25% and 16% with family and friends respectively); emails, texts, or social media messages (26 and 21%); and video calls (24 and 18%). Net of demographics, living alone, survey mode, and 2015-16 levels of the respective mental health variables, those who decreased in-person contact with family were less happy (B=-0.12, SE=0.06, p=.035), had higher loneliness scores (B=0.23, SE=0.09, p=.011), and more frequently felt depressed (B=0.10, SE=0.05, p=.055). In the presence of decreased in-person contact, increases in remote modes of contact had no net remediating impact—a pattern also found when analyzing contact with friends. Results indicate a persistent adverse effect of reduced in-person contact on mental health despite increased contact with family and friends via remote means.

scholarly journals Physical and Mental Health Differences Reported by Three Age Groups of Older Adults With Diabetes

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 233372142110558
Author(s):  
Jungjoo Lee ◽  
Junhyung Kim ◽  
Richard Holden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Univariate Analyses

Most studies have classified older adults with diabetes into one group despite substantial variation in health status across different stages of late adulthood. In this study, we examined difference in self-reported physical and mental health among three age groups of older adults with diabetes. Using data from the 2016 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, Wave 3, we classified 424 individuals diagnosed with diabetes into three age groups, young-old (YO): 50–64 years; middle-old (MO): 65–74; and oldest old (OO): 75+ years. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess group differences, followed by univariate analyses. The results indicate that the YO group reported significantly lower physical health and higher depression than the MO group and higher levels of loneliness than the MO and OO groups. These findings indicate that physical and mental health may differ among different age groups of older adults with diabetes and suggest that the YO might be more vulnerable to diminished physical and mental health than the other age groups.

scholarly journals The Sense of Smell and Aging: What We Have Learned From Population Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 810-811
Author(s):  
Jayant Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Sensory Function ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Sense Of Smell ◽  
Health Aging

Abstract Decline of the sense of smell with age causes a marked impact on older adults, markedly reducing quality of life. Olfactory dysfunction impairs nutrition, decreases the ability to experience pleasure, and results in depression, among other burdens. Large-scale population studies have identified impaired olfaction as a key heath indicator that predicts the development of decreased physical and mental health, reduced physical activity, weight loss, mild cognitive impairment and dementia, and mortality itself. These data have been generated via analyses of data from several aging cohorts, including the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP); the Beaver Dam cohort; the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities project; the Rush Memory and Aging Project; the Health, Aging, and Body Composition project; the Washington Heights/Inwood Columbia Aging Project; among others. In this presentation, we will review the close connection between olfaction, health, aging, including discussion of insights from these studies. We will also discuss emerging data from NSHAP on the effects of sensory function on cognition, mental health, and social interaction, which demonstrate that sensory function plays a vital role in the lives of older adults. Part of a symposium sponsored by Sensory Health Interest Group.

scholarly journals Can remote social contact replace in‐person contact to protect mental health among older adults?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise C. Hawkley ◽  
Laura E. Finch ◽  
Ashwin A. Kotwal ◽  
Linda J. Waite
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Contact

scholarly journals Happiness and Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults: Investigating the Mediational Roles of Disability, Depression, Social Contact Frequency, and Loneliness

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (24) ◽  
pp. 4954
Author(s):  
Jit Hui Tan ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Shazana Shahwan ◽  
Yunjue Zhang ◽  
Rajeswari Sambasivam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
Contact Frequency

Background: Understanding the lower level of happiness among older adults with cognitive impairment has been a largely neglected issue. This study (1) reports on the level of happiness among older adults in Singapore and (2) examines the potential mediating roles of depression, disability, social contact frequency, and loneliness in the relationship between cognitive scores and happiness. Methods: Data for this study were extracted from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study: a cross-sectional; comprehensive single-phase survey conducted among Singapore citizens and permanent residents that were aged 60 years and above (n = 2565). The Geriatric Mental State examination (GMS) was administered to the participants. Questions pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics; happiness; loneliness; social contact; depression; and, disability were utilized in this study. Logistic regression analyses and mediation analyses were used to explore the correlates of happiness and potential mediating factors. Results: Overall, 96.2% of older adults in Singapore reported feeling either fairly happy or very happy. In the regression analysis, individuals of Malay descent, those who were married/cohabiting, or had higher education levels were more likely to report feeling happy. After controlling for socio-demographic factors, higher cognitive scores were associated with higher odds of reporting happiness. We found that the positive association between cognition and happiness was fully mediated by disability, depression, loneliness, and frequency of contact with friends. Conclusion: The majority of the older adult population reported feeling fairly or very happy. While cognitive impairment has shown limited reversibility in past studies, unhappiness among older adults with cognitive impairment might be potentially mitigated through interventions addressing accompanying issues of social isolation, disability, and depression

The psychosocial sources of sexual interest in older couples

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 615-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Iveniuk ◽  
Linda J. Waite
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Marital Quality ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sex Characteristics ◽  
Large Network ◽  
Older Couples ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Sexual activity with one’s partner is an important component of well-being and is linked to physical, emotional, and cognitive health. However, it is unclear why some older adults are more interested in sex and some less so. Their own characteristics, those of their partner, and characteristics of the relationship may all be important. We define sexual interest as consisting both of the motivation to seek sex with a partner and willingness to have sex when asked. We measure this construct using data from both members of 953 couples in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. We focus in this article on the impact of psychological and social factors on older adults’ interest in sex, as well as the impact of their partners’ characteristics on their own interest in sex. We find that individuals with high perceived positive marital quality, a more positive and open personality, a large network of family, and better physical health showed greater interest in sex. Characteristics of their partner generally had little association with sexual interest.

scholarly journals 1184Combined association of living alone and dietary variety with mental health in older Japanese adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshiki Hata ◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Dietary Variety ◽  
Japanese Adults ◽  
Living Together

Abstract Background We examined whether dietary variety (DV) might alleviate poor mental health (MH) of living-alone (LA) older adults. Methods Cross-sensational data from 15073 (7566 men; 7507 women) residents aged 65-84 years were assessed using the WHO-Five Well-being Index to determine poor MH (defined by a score ≤ 12) and DV (low and high DV defined by a score ≤ 3 and ≥ 4, respectively). Participants were divided into living together with high DV (G1), living together with low DV (G2), LA with high DV (G3), and LA with low DV (G4). Logistic regression analyses stratified by gender were performed to examine the association of poor MH with LA and DV. Results Prevalence of LA, low DV, and poor MH were 13.6%, 63.3%, and 26.1%, respectively, in men, and 21.2%, 54.6%, and 24.8%, respectively, in women. Compared with the G1, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) for worse MH were 1.69 (1.49-1.93) for G2, 2.04 (1.50-2.78) for G3, and 3.34 (2.70-4.11) for G4 in men. Corresponding ORs were 1.73 (1.52-1.96), 1.02 (0.83-1.26), and 1.66 (1.36-2.01) in women. Conclusions The association of poor MH with LA was more apparent in older adults with low DV than in those with high DV; however, this association differed with gender. Key message Eating a variety of food may help alleviate the negative effects of living alone on mental health in older adults.

scholarly journals “You’re just there, alone in your room with your thoughts” A qualitative study about the impact of lockdown among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison R. McKinlay ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Joanna Dawes ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults have been greatly affected by quarantine measures during the coronavirus-19 pandemic. Quantitative evidence suggests that many young people have struggled with their mental health throughout “lockdown”, but little is understood about the qualitative impact of social distancing restrictions on mental health, wellbeing and social life. We therefore sought to elicit the views and experiences of adolescents and young adults living in the UK during the pandemic.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken with 37 participants aged 13-24.ResultsWe identified 4 superordinate themes most commonly described by participants about their experiences during the pandemic, including: a) missing social contact during lockdown, b) disruption to education, c) changes to social relationships, and d) improved wellbeing during lockdown. Although we identified some positive experiences during the pandemic, including an increased awareness of mental health and stronger relationship ties, many said they struggled with loneliness, a decline in mental health, and anxiety about socialising after the pandemic.ConclusionsFindings suggest that some young people may have felt less stigma talking about their mental health now compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many are worried about how the pandemic has affected their education and social connections and may require additional psychological, practical and social support. Our findings highlight the important role that education providers play in providing a source of information and support to adolescents and young adults during times of uncertainty.

scholarly journals Online social engagement, depression, and anxiety among older adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 146144482110543
Author(s):  
Matthias Hofer ◽  
Eszter Hargittai
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Using Data

As opportunities for social interactions proliferate online, questions arise as to how engagement in such activities may relate to mental health. Given older adults’ shrinking networks and increasing use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), online interactions could offer alternatives for connections that could ultimately benefit older users’ mental health. This article examines associations between older adults’ online social engagement and their mental health. Using data from an online survey of older adults ages 60+, we find positive and negative associations between different forms of online social engagement and anxiety. In terms of depression, two forms of online social engagement showed positive associations with this mental health indicator. Our results can help explain inconclusive findings of previous research on ICT use and mental health by looking at how specific online social activities relate to mental health.

Decision making and mental health across adulthood during social distancing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra Leigh Seaman ◽  
Eric Juarez ◽  
Addison Troutman ◽  
Joanna Salerno ◽  
Silvia Samanez-Larkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Temporal Discounting ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Social Distancing

Covid-19-related social-distancing measures have dramatically limited physical social contact between individuals of all ages. We wondered how these new societal conditions would impact the choices of individuals of different ages and if social distancing measures would have a differential emotional impact on older individuals. Early media reports suggested that older adults were more likely to ignore social distancing guidelines. We conducted two online studies to examine temporal discounting of monetary, health, and social rewards, COVID-19 beliefs, social distancing behaviors, and mental health symptoms. We used the initial study (N = 233) to form our hypotheses about social distancing behaviors and we ran the second, pre-registered study (N = 243) to determine if these relationships replicated. We found that although older adults were more likely to prefer smaller, sooner (i.e., temporal discount) social and health-related rewards in decision-making tasks, there were no adult age differences in social distancing behavior. The increased motivation for immediate social contact in older age appears to be balanced by a similarly increased motivation for physical health. Although older adults reported being more likely to contract Covid-19 and experience more severe health consequences, they experienced fewer overall Covid-19-related mental health symptoms compared to younger adults. These data contradict media anecdotes and suggest that older adults are not only similarly compliant with distancing guidelines, but also are faring relatively better emotionally during the pandemic while overall mental health issues are higher than normal in the population.

scholarly journals A National Longitudinal Study of Partnered Sex, Relationship Quality, and Mental Health Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 1772-1782
Author(s):  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Hui Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Life Course Perspective ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Sexual Frequency ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objectives We worked from a life course perspective to examine the relationship between partnered sex and older adults’ trajectories of mental health as well as the potential mediating role of relationship quality in this association. Method We analyzed nationally representative data from three waves of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (2005/2006 to 2015/2016). The sample included 1,911 married and cohabiting respondents aged 57 to 85 at the baseline survey. We examined four factors related to partnered sex: being sexually active, sexual frequency, feeling okay with sexual frequency, and sexual quality. Mental health was measured by self-rated poor mental health, unhappiness, and psychological distress. The relationship quality measures considered both relationship support and relationship strain. Results Results from mixed-effects models suggest that being sexually active, having sex more frequently, feeling okay with sexual frequency, and reporting better sexual quality were all related to better mental health outcomes. Relationship quality partially explained the effects of sex on mental health. Discussion This study highlights the importance of sex for mental health and relationship quality among older adults. The findings have implications for health policy and programs that seek to promote healthy aging.

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