The Association Between Health Status and Insomnia, Mental Health, and Preventive Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Fear of COVID-19

Objectives: This study examined the mediation role of fear of COVID-19 in the association between perceived health status of older adults and their insomnia, mental health, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors so as to have better understanding of the factors associated with COVID-19 and its preventive measures. Methods: A total of 413 older adults with a mean age of 57.72 ( SD = 7.31) were recruited for this study. They responded to the measures on fear of COVID-19, insomnia, mental health, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Results: There were small-large significant interrelationships between insomnia, mental health, fear of COVID-19, and preventive behaviors. Fear of COVID-19 significantly mediated the associations between perceived health status and insomnia, mental health, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors. It was also observed that perceived health status directly influenced insomnia and mental health of older adults but not their COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 has an important role to play in the management of the health and preventive behaviors of older adults. Health experts and communicators may capitalize on these findings to educate people on COVID-19. Future studies are needed to perfectly ascertain the extent of fear needed to stimulate or initiate better preventive behaviors and healthcare practices.

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Physical multimorbidity and lifetime suicidal ideation and plans among rural older adults: the mediating role of psychological distress

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03087-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Zhengyue Jing ◽

Jie Li ◽

Pei Pei Fu ◽

Yi Wang ◽

Yemin Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Status ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Rural Elderly ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Effect Of Pd

Abstract Background Previous studies have revealed that single physical chronic condition was associated with suicidal ideation/plans, but few studies have examined the relationship between multimorbidity and suicidal ideation/plans, and no studies have explored the underlying potential mechanism on this relationship in China. This study aimed to explore association between physical multimorbidity and suicidal ideation as well as plans, and further examine the mediating role of psychological distress (PD) on this relationship. Methods This study was based on the data from a survey about the health service of rural elderly household in Shandong, China. A total of 3242 adults aged 60 years and older were included in this study. PD was measured by Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Ordinal and binary logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the association between physical multimorbidity, PD and suicide ideation/plans. Bootstrapping analysis was further used to examine the mediation effect of PD on the association of multimorbidity and suicidal ideations/plans. Results The prevalence of multimorbidity, lifetime suicidal ideation, and suicidal plan in rural older adults was 35.2, 10.6 and 2.2%, respectively. Older adults living in rural areas with two or more chronic physical conditions experienced significantly higher risk of suicidal ideation and suicidal plans. The association between multimorbidity and suicidal ideations/plans was partially mediated by PD, of which, the mediating effect of PD accounted for 31.7 and 25.5% of the total effect, respectively. Conclusion This study demonstrated the associations between physical multimorbidity and suicidal ideation/plans, and the mediating role of PD on this relationship among Chinese rural elderly. Healthcare providers in rural community should provide regular surveillance for the mental health status among the rural elderly with multimorbidity, and carry out various effective intervention measures to improve the mental health status, so as to reduce the risk of suicide.

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The study on factors affecting self-perception of psycho-social aging for older adults: focused on perceived health status, mental health, health literacy, and mental health literacy

Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies ◽

10.16999/kasws.2016.47.1.123 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 123-149

Author(s):

CHUNGSOONDOOL ◽

MiWoo Lee ◽

Chung, Semi ◽

임정숙

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Health Literacy ◽

Mental Health Literacy ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Perceived Health Status ◽

Self Perception ◽

Factors Affecting

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Self-perceived health status in older adults: regional and sociodemographic inequalities in Spain

Revista de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0034-89102012000200013 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 46 (2) ◽

pp. 310-319 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Beatriz Fernandez-Martinez ◽

Maria-Eugenia Prieto-Flores ◽

Maria João Forjaz ◽

Gloria Fernández-Mayoralas ◽

Fermina Rojo-Pérez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Health Status ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Perceived Health Status ◽

The South ◽

Socioeconomic Condition ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Euroqol Group ◽

Study Results ◽

Autonomous Regions

OBJECTIVE: To assess regional and sociodemographic differences in self-perceived health status among older adults. METHODS: A face-to-face quality of life survey was conducted in a representative sample of the Spanish population comprising 1,106 non-institutionalized elderly aged 60 or more in 2008. Logistic regression models were used to explain self-perceived health status according to the EuroQol Group Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). Independent variables included sociodemographic and health characteristics as well as the nomenclature of territorial units for statistics level 1 (NUTS1: group of autonomous regions) and level 2 (NUTS 2: autonomous regions). RESULTS: Younger and better off respondents were more likely to have a positive self-perceived health status. Having no chronic conditions, independence in performing daily living activities and lower level of depression were also associated with positive self-perceived health status. People living in the south of Spain showed a more negative self-perceived health status than those living in other regions. CONCLUSION: The study results point to health inequality among Spanish older adults of lower socioeconomic condition and living in the south of Spain. The analysis by geographic units allows for international cross-regional comparisons.

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Should Psychological Distress Screening in the Community Account for Self-Perceived Health Status?

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/070674370905400805 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 54 (8) ◽

pp. 526-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Norbert Schmitz ◽

Alain Lesage ◽

JianLi Wang

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Health Status ◽

Sensitivity And Specificity ◽

Community Sample ◽

Strong Association ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Perceived Health Status ◽

Screening Performance

Objective: Psychological distress questionnaires are often used as screening instruments for mental disorders in clinical and epidemiologic settings. Poor physical health may affect the screening properties of a questionnaire. We evaluate the effect of self-perceived health status on the screening performance of the Kessler K10 and K6 scales in a community sample. Methods: We used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (CCHS 1.2). Psychological distress was measured by the 6–item (K6) and the 10–item (K10) Kessler instrument. Depression and anxiety disorders were assessed using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview (1–month estimates). Optimal cut-off points regarding health status were determined by finding the K6 and K10 values that allowed for the best balance between sensitivity and specificity. Stratum-specific likelihood ratios (SSLRs) were computed to define strata with discriminating power. Results: There was a strong association between the screening performance of the K6 and K10 scales and self-perceived health status: for the K10 scale, a cut-off point of 5/6 yielded the best balance between sensitivity and specificity for subjects with excellent or very good health status, while a cut-off point of 14/15 yielded the best balance between sensitivity and specificity for subjects with poor health status. Conclusions: The combination of the K6 and K10 scales, with a self-rated health status item, may improve screening properties of the 2 scales.

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