Dataset Information

Longitudinal correlates of loneliness and psychological distress during the lockdown situation due to COVID-19. Effects of age and self-perceptions of aging.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To longitudinally analyze the correlates of loneliness and psychological distress in people exposed to the COVID-19 lockdown, exploring the effects of age and self-perceptions of aging (SPA).

Methods

A longitudinal follow-up of 1549 participants was carried out at four different time points during the lockdown in Spain. Questions about the risk of COVID-19, age, SPA, family and personal resources, loneliness, and psychological distress were measured.

Results

Changes in loneliness showed a linear longitudinal trajectory through time, but changes in psychological distress showed a U-shaped relationship with time. Age was a relevant predictor of differences in distress, with older people reporting less psychological distress. Change in both dependent variables was related to change in different predictors like family and personal variables, and also to negative SPA.

Discussion

In a stressful situation such as the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults may be more resilient to adverse mental health outcomes by using more adaptive resources that strengthen their resilience. Support is provided for the importance of stereotyped views of the aging process that, independently of chronological age, may put people at risk of suffering adverse mental health outcomes such as loneliness and psychological distress in times of crisis.

SUBMITTER: Losada-Baltar A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7928595 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Longitudinal Correlates of Loneliness and Psychological Distress During the Lockdown Situation due to COVID-19. Effects of Age and Self-Perceptions of Aging.

Losada-Baltar Andrés A Martínez-Huertas José Ángel JÁ Jiménez-Gonzalo Lucía L Pedroso-Chaparro María Del Sequeros MDS Gallego-Alberto Laura L Fernandes-Pires José J Márquez-González María M

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences 20220401 4

<h4>Objectives</h4>To longitudinally analyze the correlates of loneliness and psychological distress in people exposed to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown, exploring the effects of age and self-perceptions of aging (SPA).<h4>Methods</h4>A longitudinal follow-up of 1,549 participants was carried out at four different time points during the lockdown in Spain. Questions about the risk of COVID-19, age, SPA, family and personal resources, loneliness, and psychological distress were m ...[more]

PMID: 33438002

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