More Frequent Internet Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic Associates with Enhanced Quality of Life and Lower Depression Scores in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Concerns have been raised regarding middle-aged and older adults’ mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. The aim of the current study was to characterise associations between internet use (frequency and purpose), depression symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) during the pandemic, in individuals aged 55–75. Data (N = 3491) were drawn from the English longitudinal study of ageing (ELSA) cohort study collected in June/July 2020 (while social distancing measures were in place). Associations with frequency of use were tested using analysis of covariance (ANCOVAS), controlling for covariates such as wealth and education. Type of internet use (for communication, information search) was also analysed amongst frequent users. Significant effects of frequency of use were observed (p = 0.01 for depression, p < 0.001 for QoL), with lower depression symptoms and higher QoL scores amongst more frequent users. Regarding purpose of use, those who reported using the internet for communication purposes had higher QoL. However, use for health-related or Government services information searching was associated with more depression symptoms. Results provide important information regarding the potential benefits of internet use for middle-aged and older people, suggesting that strategies to increase internet usage (particularly for communication) might benefit middle-aged and older adults’ mental health and counter isolation as the coronavirus crisis continues to evolve.

Download Full-text

Changes in Quality of Life and Loneliness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Participating in Therapist-Guided Digital Mental Health Intervention

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.746904 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Christine E. Gould ◽

Chalise Carlson ◽

Ana Jessica Alfaro ◽

Christina F. Chick ◽

Martha L. Bruce ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Psychological Health ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Mobile App ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Mental Health Interventions

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week multicomponent mobile app-delivered intervention, the Meru Health Program (MHP), on mental health quality of life (QoL) and loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults with depression symptoms.Methods: The eligible participants (M age = 57.06, SD = 11.26 years) were enrolled in the MHP, a therapist-supported mobile intervention. Using a non-randomized pre-post design, change in mental health QoL [WHO QoL Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) psychological health] and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale) from baseline to post-treatment were examined. Time of enrollment [pre- vs. post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] was included as a between-subjects factor in the repeated measures analyses.Results: Forty-two participants enrolled prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; eight enrolled after the pandemic began. Among the pre-COVID-19 enrollees, increase in mental health QoL, F(1, 38) = 12.61, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.25 and decreases in loneliness emerged, F(1, 38) = 5.42, p = 0.025, η2 = 0.13. The changes in mental health QoL, but not loneliness, held for the combined sample, such as post-COVID-19 enrollees, F(1, 44) = 6.02, p = 0.018, η2 = 0.12. The regression analyses showed that increases in mindfulness were associated with the increased mental health QoL and decreased loneliness.Conclusion: Therapist-supported digital mental health interventions, such as the MHP, have the potential to improve mental health QoL and decrease loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults. The findings for loneliness may not hold during the periods of mandated isolation. Instead, therapists supporting digital interventions may need to tailor their approach to target loneliness.

Download Full-text

Driving habits, cognition, and health-related quality of life in middle-aged and older adults with HIV

Applied Neuropsychology Adult ◽

10.1080/23279095.2021.1960530 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Josiah J. Robinson ◽

Tess Walker ◽

Cierra Hopkins ◽

Brittany Bradley ◽

Peggy McKie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Download Full-text

Internet Use among Older Adults

Engaging Older Adults with Modern Technology ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-1966-1.ch007 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 124-141 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Yiwei Chen ◽

Bob Lee ◽

Robert M. Kirk

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Internet Use ◽

The Internet ◽

Emotional Needs ◽

Cognitive Limitations ◽

Selective Optimization With Compensation ◽

Emotional Processes ◽

Age Related

Older adults (65 and above) are the fastest growing population to use computers and the Internet in their everyday lives. The primary purpose of this chapter is to use a Lifespan Developmental Perspective to examine both the constraints and the opportunities of Internet use among older adults. Given age-related changes in physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional processes, older adults may encounter different constraints in Internet use from younger adults. The Selective Optimization with Compensation model is used to explore opportunities for older adults in using the Internet to improve quality of life. Future product designs and training programs should take into account older adults’ physical and cognitive limitations, as well as their socio-emotional needs. It is also recommended that social policies should help older adults overcome these constraints in order to reduce age-related digital divide and promote quality of life for older adults.

Download Full-text

Association of smoking status and health-related quality of life: difference among young, middle-aged, and older adults in Shandong, China

Quality of Life Research ◽

10.1007/s11136-020-02645-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Zhengyue Jing ◽

Jie Li ◽

Yi Wang ◽

Yemin Yuan ◽

Dan Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Download Full-text

Effects of Panax Ginseng on Quality of Life

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1345/aph.1a245 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 36 (3) ◽

pp. 375-379 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Jennifer M Ellis ◽

Prabashni Reddy

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Social Functioning ◽

Panax Ginseng ◽

General Health ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

General Health Status ◽

Health Status Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE: To assess the time-dependent effects of Panax ginseng on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by use of a general health status questionnaire. METHODS: Subjects were randomized in a double-blind manner to P. ginseng 200 mg/d (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) for 8 weeks. The Short Form-36 Health Survey version 2 (SF-36v2), a validated general health status questionnaire, was used to assess HRQOL at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks. HRQOL between the groups was compared by use of repeated-measures analysis of covariance. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline demographics and SF-36v2 scores between the groups. After 4 weeks of therapy, higher scores in social functioning ( P. ginseng 54.9 ± 4.6 vs. placebo 49.2 ± 6.5; p = 0.014), mental health ( P. ginseng 52.2 ± 7.7 vs. placebo 47.2 ± 7.3; p = 0.075), and the mental component summary ( P. ginseng 51.3 ± 7.4 vs. placebo 44.3 ± 8.3; p = 0.019) scales were observed in patients randomized to P. ginseng; these differences did not persist to the 8-week time point. The incidence of adverse effects was 33% in the P. ginseng group compared with 17% in the placebo group (p = 0.40). Subjects given P. ginseng (58%) were more likely to state that they received active therapy than subjects given placebo (17%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: P. ginseng improves aspects of mental health and social functioning after 4 weeks of therapy, although these differences attenuate with continued use.

Download Full-text

Disparities in Mental Health Quality of Life Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White LGB Midlife and Older Adults and the Influence of Lifetime Discrimination, Social Connectedness, Socioeconomic Status, and Perceived Stress

Research on Aging ◽

10.1177/0164027516650003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 39 (9) ◽

pp. 991-1012 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Hyun-Jun Kim ◽

Karen I. Fredriksen-Goldsen

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Social Connectedness ◽

Health Quality ◽

Health Quality Of Life ◽

Hispanic White

We assessed factors contributing to ethnic and racial disparities in mental health quality of life (MHQOL) among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) midlife and older adults. We utilized cross-sectional survey data from a sample of non-Hispanic White and Hispanic LGB adults aged 50 and older. Structural equation modeling was used to test the indirect effect of ethnicity/race on MHQOL via explanatory factors including social connectedness, lifetime discrimination, socioeconomic status (SES), and perceived stress. Hispanics reported significantly lower levels of MHQOL, compared to non-Hispanic Whites. In the final model, the association between ethnicity/race and MHQOL was explained by higher levels of perceived stress related to lower SES, higher frequency of lifetime discrimination, and lack of social connectedness among Hispanic LGB adults. This study suggests that perceived stress related to social disadvantage and marginalization plays an important role in MHQOL disparities among Hispanic LGB midlife and older adults.

Download Full-text

The effect of exercise and diet on mental health and quality of life in middle-aged individuals with elevated risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Journal of Sports Sciences ◽

10.1080/026404199365885 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 369-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

MARIT SORENSEN ◽

SIGMUND ANDERSSEN ◽

INGVAR HJERMAN ◽

INGAR HOLME ◽

HOLGER URSIN

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Elevated Risk ◽

Middle Aged

Download Full-text

HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER OLDER ADULTS

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.1902 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S515-S516

Author(s):

Lan Doan ◽

Yumie Takata ◽

Karen Hooker ◽

Carolyn Mendez-Luck ◽

and Veronica L Irvin

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Asian American ◽

Medicare Advantage ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (NHPI) older adults, and AAs/NHPIs have not enjoyed decreases in CVD mortality rates, as have non-Hispanic whites (NHWs). Heterogeneity exists in the prevalence of traditional CVD risk factors for AAs/NHPIs. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reflect physical and mental burdens beyond clinical burdens, which may help explain discrepant CVD rates and risk factors in AAs/NHPIs. We examined HRQOL among NHW and AA/NHPI Medicare Advantage enrollees with and without a CVD (i.e., coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke) using the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey. The sample included 655,914 older adults who were 65 years or older, self-reported as AA/NHPI or NHW, and were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2011-2015. HRQOL was measured using the Veterans RAND 12-item survey and is composed of a physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS), where higher scores reflect better physical and mental health, respectively. Multivariable linear regression was used to explore HRQOL and CVD prevalence. Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese, Other Asian, and NHPI subgroups had lower overall PCS, and all AA/NHPI subgroups had lower overall MCS, compared to NHWs. Among those reporting having any CVD, PCS varied by CVD outcomes and subgroups, whereas MCS was lower for all CVD outcomes and for all but one AA/NHPI subgroups (Japanese), compared to NHWs. Attention to mental health for AA/NHPI older adults could be important for the equitable realization of healthy aging.

Download Full-text