Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Background: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. During the virus's spread and subsequent lockdowns, older adults faced heightened risks and significant mental health challenges. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong Province,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Acta Psychologica |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691824005298 |
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| author | Sheng Luo Yulin Chai Xiaohui Yang Mengxue Wang Lin Wang Yuxi Wang Yuxiu Liu |
| author_facet | Sheng Luo Yulin Chai Xiaohui Yang Mengxue Wang Lin Wang Yuxi Wang Yuxiu Liu |
| author_sort | Sheng Luo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. During the virus's spread and subsequent lockdowns, older adults faced heightened risks and significant mental health challenges. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong Province, China, using a custom-designed demographic questionnaire, a COVID-19-related survey, and the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Correspondence analysis and multiple linear regression models were employed to examine factors influencing the mental health of older adults. Results: Among 3363 older adults, the total SCL-90-R score was 153.11 ± 36.98, with an average score of 1.70 ± 0.41. Both scores were lower than the Chinese norm and pre-pandemic levels. Factors significantly affecting older adults' mental health included place of residence, age, educational attainment, marital status, fear of COVID-19, understanding of COVID-19 transmission routes, and awareness of preventive measures. Conclusions: Greater attention is needed to address the mental health of older adult males, individuals of advanced age, employed individuals, those with lower educational backgrounds, and those without a spouse. Policymakers should implement targeted policies and interventions to enhance mental health support for older adults. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f1c651a97b8480da37cb103a3e428c2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0001-6918 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Psychologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f1c651a97b8480da37cb103a3e428c22025-01-12T05:23:57ZengElsevierActa Psychologica0001-69182025-02-01252104651Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional studySheng Luo0Yulin Chai1Xiaohui Yang2Mengxue Wang3Lin Wang4Yuxi Wang5Yuxiu Liu6School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Geriatrics, Weifang People's Hospital, 151 Guangwen Street, Weifang 261000, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China; Corresponding author.Background: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. During the virus's spread and subsequent lockdowns, older adults faced heightened risks and significant mental health challenges. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong Province, China, using a custom-designed demographic questionnaire, a COVID-19-related survey, and the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Correspondence analysis and multiple linear regression models were employed to examine factors influencing the mental health of older adults. Results: Among 3363 older adults, the total SCL-90-R score was 153.11 ± 36.98, with an average score of 1.70 ± 0.41. Both scores were lower than the Chinese norm and pre-pandemic levels. Factors significantly affecting older adults' mental health included place of residence, age, educational attainment, marital status, fear of COVID-19, understanding of COVID-19 transmission routes, and awareness of preventive measures. Conclusions: Greater attention is needed to address the mental health of older adult males, individuals of advanced age, employed individuals, those with lower educational backgrounds, and those without a spouse. Policymakers should implement targeted policies and interventions to enhance mental health support for older adults.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691824005298COVID-19Older adultsMental healthPsychosocial functioningChina |
| spellingShingle | Sheng Luo Yulin Chai Xiaohui Yang Mengxue Wang Lin Wang Yuxi Wang Yuxiu Liu Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study Acta Psychologica COVID-19 Older adults Mental health Psychosocial functioning China |
| title | Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in china during the covid 19 pandemic a cross sectional study |
| topic | COVID-19 Older adults Mental health Psychosocial functioning China |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001691824005298 |
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