Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Sheng Luo; Yulin Chai; Xiaohui Yang; Mengxue Wang; Lin Wang; Yuxi Wang; Yuxiu Liu

doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104651

Psychosocial and mental health status among older adults in China during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2024 Dec 9:252:104651. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104651. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Sheng Luo¹, Yulin Chai¹, Xiaohui Yang², Mengxue Wang¹, Lin Wang³, Yuxi Wang³, Yuxiu Liu⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Management, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China.
² Department of Geriatrics, Weifang People's Hospital, 151 Guangwen Street, Weifang 261000, Shandong, China.
³ School of Nursing, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China.
⁴ School of Nursing, Shandong Second Medical University, 7166 Baotong West Street, Weifang 261053, Shandong, China. Electronic address: 18663608162@163.com.

PMID: 39657456
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104651

Abstract

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; China; Mental health; Older adults; Psychosocial functioning.