scholarly journals Loneliness, Social Contact, and Health Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 131-131
Author(s):  
Soyoung Choun ◽  
Carolyn Aldwin ◽  
Dylan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Multilevel Modeling ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Online Surveys ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Physical Problems ◽  
Modeling Analysis ◽  
Challenging Situation

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging situation for many older adults at elevated risk for mortality. Social distancing and lockdown to prevent contagion may result in social isolation and feelings of loneliness, which can have adverse effects on health. We examined how depressive symptoms were associated with between-person differences and within-person variations in loneliness, social contacts, and daily physical problems during 8 weeks. We sampled 247 older adults (Mage = 71.1, SD = 7.3, range = 51 - 95), who participated at micro-longitudinal online surveys (baseline and 7 weekly follow-ups) from April 28 to June 23. Multilevel modeling analysis controlling age, gender, marital status, and education showed that depressive symptoms were significantly decreased during 8 weeks. Further, depressive symptoms were positively coupled with both loneliness and physical problems for both the within-and between-person levels. Increase in social contact was related to decreases in depressive symptoms only at the between-person level.

scholarly journals Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua-lei Yang ◽  
Shuo Zhang ◽  
Si-qing Zhang ◽  
Lin Xie ◽  
Yuan-yang Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Commercial Activity ◽  
Frequency Of Contact

This study investigated the effect of using the Internet on depression symptoms of older Chinese, based on 7,801 adults aged over 60 years from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies. Results showed that the elderly who used the Internet reported lower depression scores, and the more frequent they use Internet, the lower their depression scores. Moreover, using the Internet for social contact and entertainment decreased the depression scores of the older adults, but when using Internet for learn, work, and commercial activity, the relief of depressive symptoms disappeared. Therelief of depression symptoms through Internet use were heterogeneous among different groups: the elderly aged 60–70, women, rural residents, and those with lower education attainment. Moreover, Internet use decreased the depression scores by increasing the frequency of contact with their children and increasing the importance of their enjoyment of life. According to the relief of depression by using Internet reasonably, policies should be designed to ensure that all ages could have easy access to the Internet.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Effects of Coping Strategies on Mental Health of Older Adults Living Alone During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 440-441
Author(s):  
Seoyoun Kim ◽  
Hyunwoo Yoon ◽  
Yuri Jang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
World Health ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Time Varying Covariates

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic and related social distancing measures have posed a significant threat to the mental health of older adults, particularly those living alone. Accordingly, the World Health Organization implemented the #HealthyAtHome program, encouraging people to keep in regular contact with loved ones, stay physically active, and keep a regular routine. The current study aims to examine a micro-longitudinal link between positive coping strategies (e.g., exercise, meditation, relaxation, and virtual social contacts) and depressive symptoms among older adults who live alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used 21 biweekly waves of longitudinal data from the Understanding America Study (UAS) collected between April 2020 and February 2021 (N=839, observation= 16,256). The multilevel models with correlated random effects were estimated to examine lagged effects of coping strategies (t-1) on depressive symptoms (t). The analysis used the xthybrid command with clustered standard errors in Stata 15.1. The results show that exercise (b=-.10, p=0.02), relaxation (b=-02, p=0.01), and virtual social contacts (b=-.01, p=0.01) were predictive of lower depressive symptoms even after controlling for time-invariant and time-varying covariates. Meditation, however, was associated with higher depressive symptoms (b=.01, p=0.02). The results show that modifiable lifestyle factors, such as taking time to exercise or relax, may enhance mental health and well-being for older adults living alone. Virtual social contacts such as video calls could be an effective way to keep older adults socially connected and emotionally healthy.

scholarly journals Go&Grow: A Social Exergame to Promote Well-Being Among Dementia Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
Xin Yao Lin ◽  
Herman Saksono ◽  
Elizabeth Stowell ◽  
Margie Lachman ◽  
Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multilevel Modeling ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Intervention Design ◽  
Dementia Caregivers ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Health Promoting Behaviors ◽  
Health Promoting

Abstract Dementia caregivers are at risk for poor health outcomes due to high stress and little time for health-promoting behaviors. The current study examined whether Go&Grow, an exergame (digital game in which play involved real-world physical activity), could increase caregivers’ physical activity and social contact and reduce their stress. Go&Grow allows participants to grow flowers virtually as they increase their physical activity. Participants can also interact with others on Go&Grow. Go&Grow was piloted with 18 dementia caregivers (ages 22-70) over a six-week period. Multilevel modeling results showed that weeks with more Go&Grow usage were associated with more steps and more social contact. Days with more social contacts on Go&Grow were associated with more physical activity. Participants reported they were able to manage their distress better at posttest compared to the pretest. The discussion will highlight study limitations as well as implications for technology-based game and intervention design for caregiver well-being. Part of a symposium sponsored by Technology and Aging Interest Group.

scholarly journals Early-life Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Inflammation: The Role of Social Factors

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 920-921
Author(s):  
Julia Nakamura ◽  
Eric Kim ◽  
Kelly Rentscher ◽  
Kate Kuhlman
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
The United States ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Perceived Support ◽  
Contact Network

Abstract Early-life stress (ELS) is associated with elevated risk of adverse psychological (e.g., depression) and physical health outcomes (chronic diseases driven by inflammation) in older adulthood. We evaluated whether four social factors buffered the ELS-depressive symptoms and ELS-inflammation associations. Data were from 3,416 adults (58.28% female; Mage=68.41; SDage=10.24) who participated in the 2006 wave of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States. We used hierarchical regression analyses to first test the main effects of ELS on depressive symptoms and inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). We then assessed whether four social factors (perceived support, frequency of social contact, network size, and volunteer activity) moderated the ELS-depressive symptoms and ELS-inflammation relationships. We found a small positive association between ELS and depressive symptoms (B=0.17, SE=0.05, p=.002), which was moderated by social contact and perceived support. Specifically, ELS was only associated with elevated depressive symptoms for participants with limited social contact (B=0.24, SE=0.07, p<.001) and low perceived support (B=0.24, SE=0.07, p<.001). These associations remained after accounting for potential confounders (age, body-mass index, adulthood stress, and marital status). ELS was not associated with inflammation, and no social factors moderated the ELS-inflammation link. Increased social contact and perceived support may be protective for individuals at an elevated risk of developing depressive symptoms as a result of ELS. Future interventions may benefit from leveraging these social factors to improve quality of life in adults with ELS.

Poor Acceptance of the Past is Related to Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults

GeroPsych ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-251
Author(s):  
Gozde Cetinkol ◽  
Gulbahar Bastug ◽  
E. Tugba Ozel Kizil
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Geriatric Depression ◽  
Ego Integrity ◽  
The Past ◽  
Depressed Group ◽  
Total Death ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Depression in older adults can be explained by Erikson’s theory on the conflict of ego integrity versus hopelessness. The study investigated the relationship between past acceptance, hopelessness, death anxiety, and depressive symptoms in 100 older (≥50 years) adults. The total Beck Hopelessness (BHS), Geriatric Depression (GDS), and Accepting the Past (ACPAST) subscale scores of the depressed group were higher, while the total Death Anxiety (DAS) and Reminiscing the Past (REM) subscale scores of both groups were similar. A regression analysis revealed that the BHS, DAS, and ACPAST predicted the GDS. Past acceptance seems to be important for ego integrity in older adults.

Analysis of Self-Concept in Older Adults in Different Contexts

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel de Gracia Blanco ◽  
Josep Garre Olmo ◽  
María Marcó Arbonès ◽  
Pilar Monreal Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
External Validity ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Discriminatory Capacity

Summary: Self-concept is a construct consisting of a group of specific self-perceptions that are hierarchically organized. Age-associated changes of self-concept are related to the individual's perception of the changes occurring throughout the aging process. The authors examined external validity and internal consistency of an instrument that has been developed to assess self-concept in older adults and examined self-concept's characteristics in two different contexts. Results confirm the multidimensionality of the scale and show a satisfactory external validity, indicating good discriminatory capacity. Findings support the hypothesis that older people who live in a nursing home have a poor self-esteem, self-concept, and psychological well-being and have a greater presence of depressive symptoms than people who live in their own home.

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