Dataset Information

[Health-related consequences of social isolation: a qualitative study on psychosocial stress and resources among older adults in the COVID-19 pandemic].

ABSTRACT:

Background

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to a general uncertainty about risk and consequences of the disease. Older adults are specifically vulnerable with regard to severe courses of the disease and have been particularly encouraged to self-isolate during the pandemic. Subsequently, expressions of concern have been raised regarding the negative impact of disease risk and quarantine on the mental health of older people.

Objectives

Assessment of psychosocial stress, coping strategies, need for support, and sense of coherence of older people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

The study follows a qualitative research design. Between May and June 2020 N?=?11 guided telephone interviews were conducted with older adults (70+ years). Telephone interviews were recorded by audio tape and fully transcribed. A qualitative content analysis was performed according to Mayring and Fenzl (2019) using MAXQDA.

Results

Participants were 74.8 years old on average. Participants showed predominantly good psychosocial health and functional coping strategies. Life experience, an optimistic attitude, understanding of the necessity of restrictions, and previous crises that have been mastered were the most important resources during the COVID-19 pandemic for older adults. Offers of support were rarely used. Participants were critical of the closing of centers or meeting points for older people.

Conclusion

Older adults appear to be able to preserve their mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The relevance of mental resources of older adults for supporting younger generations seems to be unrecognized.

SUBMITTER: Welzel FD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7852481 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

[Health-related consequences of social isolation: a qualitative study on psychosocial stress and resources among older adults in the COVID-19 pandemic].

Welzel Franziska D FD Schladitz Katja K Förster Franziska F Löbner Margrit M Riedel-Heller Steffi G SG

Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz 20210202 3

<h4>Background</h4>The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to a general uncertainty about risk and consequences of the disease. Older adults are specifically vulnerable with regard to severe courses of the disease and have been particularly encouraged to self-isolate during the pandemic. Subsequently, expressions of concern have been raised regarding the negative impact of disease risk and quarantine on the mental health of older people.<h4>Objectives</h4>Assessment of psychosocial stress, coping strategies ...[more]

PMID: 33528612

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Project description:People living with HIV (PLWH) have increasingly longer life spans. This age group faces different challenges than younger PLWH, which may include increased stress and social isolation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the age and sex of PLWH are associated with measures of physiologic stress, perceived stress, and social isolation. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 102 PLWH equally into four groups divided by age (younger or older than 50 years) and gender. Participants completed well-validated survey measurements of stress and isolation, and their heart rate variability over 60 minutes was measured by Holter monitor. The mean (SD) Perceived Stress Scale score was 17.4 (6.94), mean Visual Analog Stress Scale score was 3.51 (2.79), and mean Hawthorne Friendship Scale score, a measure of social isolation, was 17.03 (4.84). Mean heart rate variability expressed as the SD of successive N-N intervals was 65.47 (31.16) msec. In multivariable regression models that controlled for selected demographic variables, there was no relationship between the Perceived Stress Scale and age (coefficient = -0.09, p =-0.23) or female gender (coefficient = -0.12, p = 0.93); however, there was a modest relationship between female gender and stress using the Visual Analog Stress Scale (coefficient = 1.24, p = 0.05). Perceived Stress was negatively associated with the Hawthorne Friendship score (coefficient = -0.34, p = 0.05). Hawthorne Friendship score was positively associated with younger age (coefficient = 0.11, p = 0.02). Age was the only independent predictor of physiologic stress as measured by heart rate variability (coefficient = -1.3, p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that younger PLWH may experience more social isolation; however, age-related changes in heart rate variability do not appear to be related to perceived stress or social isolation. Future longitudinal research is required to more thoroughly understand this relationship and its impact on the health of PLWH.

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Dataset Information

[Health-related consequences of social isolation: a qualitative study on psychosocial stress and resources among older adults in the COVID-19 pandemic].

Background

Objectives

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

[Health-related consequences of social isolation: a qualitative study on psychosocial stress and resources among older adults in the COVID-19 pandemic].

Similar Datasets

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