Elder abuse as a risk factor for psychological distress among older adults in India: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study examines the association between elder abuse and psychological distress among older adults in India and explores whether this association varies by the level of psychosocial and material resources.DesignThe study uses a cross-sectional survey design.SettingThe data are drawn from a representative sample of 9589 adults aged 60 and above in seven Indian states—Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu—in 2011.Statistical analysesSecondary analysis, using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models, is conducted using the United Nations Population Fund project Building Knowledge Base on Ageing in India survey. Elder abuse (physical and/or emotional) emanating from family members in the previous month before the survey is examined. Multivariate models are run on the total analytical sample and for men and women separately.ResultsThe overall prevalence of psychological distress among persons aged 60 and over living in the seven Indian States is 40.6%. Among those older persons who experienced some form of physical or emotional abuse or violence in the last month, the prevalence of psychological distress is much higher than that in the general older population, at 61.6% (p<0.001). The results show that the experience of abuse is negatively associated with the mental health of older adults, and this relationship persists even after controlling for demographic and socioeconomic factors (OR=1.60, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.09). The findings also suggest that household wealth has an inverse relationship with mental health, with the association between experiencing elder abuse and reporting poor mental health being strongest among older people in wealthy households.ConclusionsElder abuse in India is currently a neglected phenomenon, and greater recognition of the link between abuse and mental health is critical to improve the well-being of vulnerable older adults, some of whom may be ‘hidden’ within well-off households.

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AGE, EXPERIENCE OF RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS, AND DISTRESS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2613 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S711-S712

Author(s):

Shayla Thompson ◽

Broderick Sawyer ◽

Suzanne Meeks

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Well Being ◽

Racial Microaggressions ◽

Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Anger Rumination ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Racial microaggressions are a common form of racial discrimination consisting of subtle or interpersonal slights. Racial microaggressions are linked to various kinds of psychological distress in younger adults, but have not been studied across the lifespan. We examined the relationship of racial microaggressions with psychological distress and anger rumination among younger and older adults identified as racial or ethnic minorities. We hypothesized that age would moderate the relationship between racial microaggressions and psychological distress and anger rumination, that is, the relationship would be weaker for older than for younger adults. Participants were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and were compensated $1 for their participation. Preliminary tests of the hypotheses (N=220), using multiple regression analyses to test for moderation, failed to support the hypothesis that age would mitigate the impact of microaggressions on symptom severity. Both age and microaggressions were related to psychological distress and anger rumination, but contrary to prediction, older adults showed more exacerbation of distress in the face of microaggressions than younger adults. The results also differed by gender and ethnic groups, suggesting the importance of examining intersectional experiences of race, gender, and age in response to discrimination. These cross-sectional findings lend support to the importance of considering both subtle and overt discriminatory experiences in understanding the mental health challenges for minority groups in the U.S., but more work is needed to examine the intersection of ethnicity with other demographic variables, and to understand how the lifelong experiences of discrimination may shape older adults’ vulnerability, well-being, and resilience.

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Mental Health of Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Medical - Surgical Nursing Journal ◽

10.5812/msnj.99059 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Roohollah Farhadloo ◽

Sarallah Shojaei ◽

Hamid Torabian ◽

Mostafa Vahedian ◽

Masoumeh Zakerimoghadam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Good Condition ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Distress Scale

Background: Improving lifestyle, increasing lifespan and life expectancy have led to the phenomenon of aging in societies. The increasing population of older adults is one of the most important economic, social, and health challenges in the current century. Objectives: This study was conducted to measure the mental health of older adults in Qom City and its relationship with socioeconomic factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study on 400 older adults over 60 years in the urban areas of Qom in 2018. A multi-stage sampling method was used for this study. The research tools were a demographic questionnaire, the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K6), and a standard psychological well-being scale. Data were analyzed by Stata 12 software using the t-test. The significance level was considered less than 0.05. Results: Considering the mental health status, based on the K6, 55% of the elderly showed signs of low depression anxiety, 34% moderate, and 11% showed severe anxiety symptoms. Regarding the status of well-being, 49.50% were in good condition (11.3 ± 3.3), 27.75% were in moderate condition (13.8 ± 2.9), and 22.75% were in poor condition (7.3 ± 2.6). Anxiety and depression had significant relationships with gender, having an illness, marital status, having a caregiver, and income. Conclusions: The results showed that about half of the elderly in Qom had moderate anxiety and depression disorders, as well as moderate mental well-being, which indicates the moderate level of anxiety and mental disorders in the elderly in Qom.

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The Assessment of Fear of COVID-19 among the Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10235537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (23) ◽

pp. 5537

Author(s):

Siddarth Agrawal ◽

Mateusz Dróżdż ◽

Sebastian Makuch ◽

Alicja Pietraszek ◽

Małgorzata Sobieszczańska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Related Information ◽

Fear And Anxiety

The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the mental health and well-being of individuals. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the perceived fear of COVID-19 among older adults in Poland and identify subpopulations with the highest risk of potential mental health disorders. The study was conducted in November–December 2020 on 500 people aged ≥60 years (mean M = 67.9, standard deviation SD = 4.2). In order to collect information on participants’ characteristics and COVID-19-related information, they were asked to complete a questionnaire based on recorded telephone calls. Perceived fear of COVID-19 was measured using our generated and validated seven-item tool: “Scale of fear of COVID-19 infection”, which ranged from 7 to 35. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with the perceived fear of COVID-19. Our results showed that the highest level of fear of COVID-19 infection was observed among women (p = 0.025) and patients taking anticoagulants (p = 0.004). Moreover, older adults with higher anxiety levels were more likely to be fearful of COVID-19 (according to the GAS-10 scale; p < 0.001). These findings may help policy makers and healthcare workers to adapt and implement better mental health strategies to help the elderly fight fear and anxiety during the prevailing pandemic.

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204 - Psychological distress and support needs of community residing older adults in urban India – An exploratory study

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610221001381 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. 8-9

Author(s):

Jayashree Dasgupta ◽

Meenakshi Chopra

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Well Being ◽

Support Needs ◽

Urban India ◽

And Coping

Background:COVID pandemic in India, lockdowns and an unprepared health system has affected wellbeing of older adults. Low public awareness about mental health issues and stigma also contribute to low help seeking. Exploring impact of COVID on mental health of older adults and understanding support needs is essential.Research Objective:To examine mental wellbeing and coping strategies used by urban community residing older adults during the pandemic in India.Method:As part of an ongoing community engagement initiative with older adults and their families, an online survey was conducted during the first wave of the pandemic in April/May 2020. Sociodemographic details and information on coping strategies were gathered. The five-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used to screen for psychological distress and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Respondents were contacted again in May 2021 during the second COVID wave for a telephonic interview to understand current levels of distress and coping strategies. Consent was taken for audio recording and interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.Preliminary results of the ongoing study:Respondents (N=54) aged between 40-86 years (Mn = 60; SD = 18.9). Majority were male (61%), retired or homemakers (57%) and widowed/unmarried (52%). Of the sample 70% had one or more pre-existing medical conditions. A score of ≥ 2 on GHQ in 66% respondents indicates psychological distress. Stressors included health and well-being of family (62%), difficulty managing household work (42%) and increase in family conflicts (17%). Although 72% discussed their worries with family/friends, only 25% considered speaking with a mental health professional indicating low help seeking. Of respondents contacted again, 40% citied ill health or being busy as reasons for refusal to participate. Of those who agreed, 33% reported psychological distress. In-depth interviews, showed use of online mental wellness sessions and yoga/meditation to be beneficial coping strategies. Need for more online support groups was also highlighted.Conclusion:Psychological distress is present amongst community residing older adults in urban India. A change in attitude towards tele mental health must be leveraged to provide support for adults experiencing psychological distress.

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Impact of COVID-19 and Partial Lockdown on Access to Care, Self-Management and Psychological Well-being among People with Diabetes: A Cross-sectional Study

10.22541/au.160770440.01726562/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ester Yeoh ◽

Sooon Guan Tan ◽

Yingshan Lee ◽

Ying Yee Low ◽

Su Chi Lim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Services ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Self Care ◽

Well Being ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Disinhibited Eating ◽

Health Services Access ◽

The Impact

Background The impact of lockdown measures can be widespread, affecting both clinical and psychosocial aspects of health. This study aims to assess changes in health services access, diabetes self-care, behavioral and psychological impact of COVID-19 and partial lockdown in Singapore. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey amongst people with diabetes with the Diabetes Health Profile-18 (DHP-18). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed for each DHP-18 subscale (Psychological Distress, Disinhibited Eating and Barriers to Activity) as dependent variables in separate models. Results Among 301 respondents, 45.2% were women, majority were ethnic Chinese (67.1%), aged 40 to 49 years (24.2%), have Type 2 diabetes (68.4%) and on oral medications (42.2%). During the lockdown, nearly all respondents were able to obtain their medications, supplies (94%) and contact their doctors (97%) when needed. Respondents reported less physical activity (38%), checking of blood pressure (29%) and blood glucose (22%). Previous diagnosis of mental health conditions (β=11.44, p= 0.017), diabetes-related comorbidities (β= 3.98, p= 0.001) and Indian ethnicity (β= 7.73, p= 0.018) were significantly associated with higher psychological distress. Comorbidities were associated with higher disinhibited eating (β= 2.71, p= 0.007) while mental health condition was associated with greater barriers to activities (β= 9.63, p= 0.033). Conclusion Health services access were minimally affected but COVID-19 and lockdown had mixed impact on self-care and management behaviors. Greater clinical care and attention should be provided to people with diabetes with greater number of comorbidities and previous mental health disorders during the pandemic and lockdown.

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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.

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Prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in Medicare-enrolled, autistic older adults

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361319890793 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 755-764 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Brittany N Hand ◽

Amber M Angell ◽

Lauren Harris ◽

Laura Arnstein Carpenter

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Well Being ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mental Health Conditions

While there is emerging evidence on the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions among autistic adults, less is known about this population’s needs during older adulthood (aged 65+). We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective cohort study of 2016–2017 Medicare data to compare the prevalence of physical and mental health conditions in a national sample of autistic older adults (N = 4685) to a matched population comparison (N = 46,850) cohort. Autistic older adults had significantly greater odds of nearly all physical health conditions including epilepsy (odds ratio = 18.9; 95% confidence interval = 17.2–20.7), Parkinson’s disease (odds ratio = 6.1; 95% confidence interval = 5.3–7.0), and gastrointestinal conditions (odds ratio = 5.2; 95% confidence interval = 4.9–5.5). Most mental health conditions were more common among autistic older adults, including schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (odds ratio = 25.3; 95% confidence interval = 22.4–28.7), attention deficit disorders (odds ratio = 24.4; 95% confidence interval = 16.2–31.0), personality disorders (odds ratio = 24.1; 95% confidence interval = 17.8–32.5), and suicidality or self-inflicted injury (odds ratio = 11.1; 95% confidence interval = 8.9–13.8). Health conditions commonly associated with advanced age in the general population (e.g. osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, osteoarthritis) were also significantly more common among autistic older adults. By highlighting the significant physical and mental health needs for which autistic older adults require care, our findings can inform healthcare systems, healthcare providers, and public health initiatives seeking to promote well-being in this growing population.

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Association of self-perceived income status with psychological distress and subjective well-being: a cross-sectional study among older adults in India

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-021-00588-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

T. Muhammad ◽

Shobhit Srivastava ◽

T. V. Sekher

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Basic Needs ◽

Well Being ◽

Economic Security ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Older Population ◽

Income Status

Abstract Background As the older population aged 65 and over worldwide, is estimated to increase from 9% in 2019 to 16% in 2050, rapid aging will transform the aspects such as economic security, employment status, and family structure. The effects of lower levels of perceived income and poor socioeconomic status on the mental health of older adults appear to be large and enduring. Therefore, the present study contributes to the literature on understanding the association of socioeconomic conditions and self-perceived income status in particular, with self-assessed mental health outcomes (psychological distress and subjective well-being) among older adults in India. Methods Data for the present study was derived from the Building Knowledge Base on Population Ageing (BKPAI) in India. Bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to understand the relationship between socioeconomic status and outcome variables. Results About 43% of older adults had no income whereas 7% had income but perceived as not sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. Nearly, 9% of older adults were retired from regular employment. Almost 70% older adults had received no pension and nearly 18% of older adults had no asset ownership. It is revealed that older adults with income that is partially sufficient to fulfil their basic needs were 2.23 times [OR: 2.23, CI: 1.75–2.84] and 1.96 times [OR: 1.96, CI: 1.55–2.47] significantly more likely to suffer from psychological distress and low subjective well-being than those who had income which was sufficient to fulfil their basic needs. Conclusions By focusing on four target areas such as the income support, education, family oriented initiatives and local or regional policies, the current framework for assessing the mental health among older adults in India can be modified. A move towards a guaranteed pension for eligible older individuals by which they do not have to remain as a financial burden on their children, may reduce their self-perceived economic distress and result in higher levels of wellbeing in older ages. Also, strategies to address socioeconomic disadvantages and gender differentials related to mental health status among older population are urgently needed.

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Ethnic and Gender Disparities in Healthy Ageing among People 50 Years and Older in South Africa

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics6030079 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 79

Author(s):

Supa Pengpid ◽

Karl Peltzer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

South Africa ◽

Older Adults ◽

Population Group ◽

Well Being ◽

Healthy Ageing ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Good Mental Health ◽

Male Sex ◽

The Cross

Objective: this study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of healthy ageing in older adults living in the community in South Africa. Methods: the cross-sectional sample consisted of 3734 individuals (≥50 years) from the cross-sectional South African National Health and Nutrition Survey (SANHANES-1) in 2011–2012. Healthy ageing was assessed using a multidimensional concept, which includes five components: (1) absence of major illness, (2) absence of disability, (3) good mental health, (4) social engagement and (5) well-being or good health. Results: in general, 36.6% had a healthy ageing, including 73.3% had no major diseases, 87.1% were free of disability, 62.3% had good mental health, 73.0% were socially engaged and 64.0% had a high well-being. In the adjusted logistic regression analysis, male sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR: 1.33, 95% confidence interval-CI: 1.03–1.72), white population group (AOR: 3.46, 95% CI: 2.29–5.22) and coloured population group (AOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.34–2.47), were positively associated with healthy ageing, while increasing age (AOR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.97), daily tobacco use (AOR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.42–0.74), perceived underweight (AOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34–0.66) and perceived overweight (AOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.34–0.81) were negatively associated with associated with healthy ageing. Conclusion: almost two in five older adults in South Africa were successfully ageing. Factors associated with healthy ageing included, younger age, male sex, population group (Whites, Coloureds), not daily tobacco users, not having underweight and overweight.

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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.

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