COVID-19 Stress in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Liu Tianyin PhD, Sze Lesley Cai Yin MSocSc, Yiu Eric Kwok Lun MA, Wong Edwin Lok Yan MScoSc, Leung Dara Kiu Yi PhD, Kwok Wai-wai MClinPsy, Tang Jennifer PhD, Xu Jiaqi PhD, Wong Gloria PhD, Lum Terry PhD
Primary Institution: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hypothesis
What do older people perceive as stressful during COVID-19 and how are these stressors related to mental health risks?
Conclusion
Older adults in Hong Kong perceived stress related to COVID-19 primarily from concerns about family and community rather than direct infection.
Supporting Evidence
- Pre-existing mental health conditions were associated with higher stress.
- Loneliness had the strongest association with stress levels.
- Older age and living alone were negatively associated with stress.
Takeaway
Older people felt more stressed about how COVID-19 affected their families and communities than about getting sick themselves.
Methodology
The study used a Delphi method to develop a COVID-19-related stress scale and a cross-sectional telephone survey to validate it.
Potential Biases
Participants were recruited from mental health service centers, which may not represent the general older adult population.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and reliance on telephone surveys may exclude those with severe hearing loss.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of 75.63 years, 75.6% female, 37.5% lived alone, 17% had pre-existing mental health conditions.
Statistical Information
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website