scholarly journals Age Differences in Stress, Life Changes, and Social Ties During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Psychological Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kira S Birditt ◽  
Angela Turkelson ◽  
Karen L Fingerman ◽  
Courtney A Polenick ◽  
Akari Oya
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Life Change ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract Background and Objectives Experiences of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019) pandemic and its implications for psychological well-being may vary widely across the adult lifespan. The present study examined age differences in pandemic-related stress and social ties, and links with psychological well-being. Research Design and Methods Participants included 645 adults (43% women) ages 18 to 97 (M = 50.8; SD = 17.7) from the May 2020 nationally representative Survey of Consumers. Participants reported the extent to which they felt stress related to the pandemic in the last month, the extent to which their lives had changed due to the pandemic, as well as social isolation, negative relationship quality, positive relationship quality, and frequency of depression, anxiety and rumination in the past week. Results Results showed that older people reported less pandemic-related stress, less life change, less social isolation, and lower negative relationship quality than younger people. Greater pandemic-related stress, life change, social isolation, and negative relationship quality were associated with poorer psychological well-being. Poorer social ties (i.e., greater social isolation, and negative quality) exacerbated the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (stress, life change) on psychological well-being. Discussion and Implications Researchers have indicated that older adults may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 pandemic-related stress and social isolation, but this study indicates that young adults may be relatively more vulnerable. Because isolation and negative relationship quality appear to exacerbate the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological well-being, reducing social isolation and negative relations are potential targets for intervention.

scholarly journals Age Differences in COVID-19 Stress and Social Ties during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Well-being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 963-963
Author(s):  
Kira Birditt ◽  
Angela Turkelson ◽  
Karen Fingerman ◽  
Courtney Polenick ◽  
Akari Oya
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Lifespan ◽  
Effects Of Stress ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Related Stress

Abstract The experience of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and its implications for well-being may vary widely by age group across the adult lifespan. The purpose of this study was to examine age differences in stress related to the pandemic and social ties, and whether those experiences are linked to well-being. Participants included a total of 645 adults (43% women) ages 18 to 97 (M = 50.8; SD = 17.7) from the May 2020 nationally representative Survey of Consumers. Participants reported the extent to which they felt stress related to the pandemic in the last month as well as social isolation, negative relationship quality, positive relationship quality, and frequent depression, anxiety and rumination in the past week. Results showed that older people reported less COVID-19 related stress, less social isolation, and lower negative relationship quality than younger people. Greater stress, social isolation, and negative relationship quality were associated with poorer well-being and greater social isolation, and negative quality ties exacerbated the effects of stress on well-being. Although many researchers have indicated that older adults may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 related stress and social isolation, this study indicates that young adults may be relatively more vulnerable. Because isolation and negative relationship quality appear to exacerbate the effects of stress, reducing social isolation and negative relations are potential targets for intervention.

scholarly journals The effects of social isolation on well-being and life satisfaction during pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruta Clair ◽  
Maya Gordon ◽  
Matthew Kroon ◽  
Carolyn Reilly
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Perceived Social Isolation

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic placed many locations under ‘stay at home” orders and adults simultaneously underwent a form of social isolation that is unprecedented in the modern world. Perceived social isolation can have a significant effect on health and well-being. Further, one can live with others and still experience perceived social isolation. However, there is limited research on psychological well-being during a pandemic. In addition, much of the research is limited to older adult samples. This study examined the effects of perceived social isolation in adults across the age span. Specifically, this study documented the prevalence of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the various factors that contribute to individuals of all ages feeling more or less isolated while they are required to maintain physical distancing for an extended period of time. Survey data was collected from 309 adults who ranged in age from 18 to 84. The measure consisted of a 42 item survey from the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale, Measures of Social Isolation (Zavaleta et al., 2017), and items specifically about the pandemic and demographics. Items included both Likert scale items and open-ended questions. A “snowball” data collection process was used to build the sample. While the entire sample reported at least some perceived social isolation, young adults reported the highest levels of isolation, χ2(2) = 27.36, p < 0.001. Perceived social isolation was associated with poor life satisfaction across all domains, as well as work-related stress, and lower trust of institutions. Higher levels of substance use as a coping strategy was also related to higher perceived social isolation. Respondents reporting higher levels of subjective personal risk for COVID-19 also reported higher perceived social isolation. The experience of perceived social isolation has significant negative consequences related to psychological well-being.

scholarly journals Occupational Stress, Psychological Well being and Quality of Life among Indian Army Personnel

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-216
Author(s):  
Dolly Bansal ◽  
Vijendra Nath Pathak ◽  
J. Pradhan ◽  
Anu Chaudhary
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Army Personnel

The study aims to highlight the occupation level on occupational stress, psychological well-being, and quality of life of Indian Army Personnel. The study was conducted on one hundred fifty Indian male Army Personnel of different rank belonging to 25 years to 45 years of age group. The cross-sectional design was used. The sample was selected through the purposive sampling technique. The tools measures like the Occupational Stress Index, Psychological Well-Being Scale and WHO Quality of Life-BREF Hindi was individually administered. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. One way Analysis of Variance results revealed that there is a significant difference in occupational levels on occupational stress, psychological well-being, and quality of life among Indian Army personnel. Pearson product-moment correlations coefficient showed a significant negative relationship between occupational stress with psychological well-being and quality of life and showed a significant positive relationship between psychological well-being and quality of life among Indian Army Personnel.

Relationship Quality Among Older Cohabitors: A Comparison to Remarrieds

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (8) ◽  
pp. 1808-1817
Author(s):  
Matthew R Wright
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Union Type ◽  
Quality Relationships

Abstract Objectives Later life marital patterns have undergone shifts over the past few decades, including a rapid growth of cohabiting unions. Despite the increase in older adult cohabitation, research on this population has been slow to keep up. Intimate relationships are linked to well-being and relationship quality is especially important because high-quality relationships offer a number of benefits for well-being, whereas poor-quality relationships often are detrimental. This study compares cohabiting and remarried individuals on two measures of relationship quality. Method Using data from the 2010 and 2012 Health and Retirement Study, I investigate the positive and negative relationship quality of cohabitors relative to their remarried counterparts and whether the association of union type and relationship quality varies by race. Results Across both positive and negative relationship quality, I found few differences between cohabiting and remarried individuals. Black cohabitors report higher positive relationship quality than remarrieds, whereas White cohabitors and remarrieds do not differ. Discussion These findings suggest that cohabiting unions and remarriages are comparable among White older adults, but that Black cohabitors may gain more in terms of positive relationship quality than their remarried counterparts.

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF CUSTODIAL STATUS ON MARITAL AFFECTUAL SOLIDARITY AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG GRANDPARENTS.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S944-S945
Author(s):  
Eunbea Kim ◽  
Danielle K Nadorff ◽  
Rachel Scott ◽  
Ian T McKay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Marital Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Custodial Grandparents ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Targeted Interventions

Abstract Increased life expectancy and the diversity of family structure have resulted in a substantial rise in the number of families with grandparents as the main caregivers (e.g. custodial grandparents). The structures of these families affect the well-being of all family members. After middle age, psychological well-being is associated with marital relationship quality, and raising one’s grandchildren is a known source of strain to relationships. The current study examined adults aged 40 and older (M age = 57.6 yr, 53% female) using a nationwide sample from MIDUS to assess the extent to which custodial grandparenting status influences marital affectual solidarity, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, and perceived stress. Measures included the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Index, Spousal Affectual Solidarity, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale. Marital affectual solidarity was significantly related to custodial status and psychological well-being, and there were significant differences in marital relationship quality and psychological well-being between custodial grandparents and non-custodial grandparents. However, custodial status failed to moderate the relation between marital affectual solidarity and mental health. Although other factors surrounding custodial grandparents likely affect their marital relationship and mental health, these results suggest that grandparents raising grandchildren are under particular strain in their marriages and are in need of targeted interventions to ameliorate stress and depressive symptoms. These findings will inform the need for more research and supportive educational programs on family relationships and the psychological health of custodial grandparents.

Displaced Older Adults’ Reactions to and Coping With the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 1346-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshinori Kamo ◽  
Tammy L. Henderson ◽  
Karen A. Roberto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Community Factors ◽  
And Coping ◽  
The Relationship

Guided by an ecological perspective, the authors examined event, individual, structural/cultural, and family/community factors that shaped the psychological well-being of older adults displaced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. The authors first established the negative effects of displacement on psychological well-being by comparing displaced older adults with permanent Baton Rouge residents. Displaced older persons’ psychological well-being was positively related to their age and physical health. Older displaced women coped with displacement better than men. Avoidant coping was negatively related to the older adults’ well-being, whereas spiritual coping showed no effect. The functioning of older persons’ family was positively related to their psychological well-being, whereas dependence on people outside immediate family showed a negative relationship. Income, education, and race were largely unrelated to psychological well-being. Findings provide implications for future studies regarding the relationship between disaster and psychological well-being and provide practitioners with suggestions for work with older adults displaced by disasters.

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