Longitudinal effects of COVID-19-related loneliness on symptoms of mental distress among older adults in Austria

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19-related social restrictions resulted in more loneliness, but whether this had further effects on mental health remains unclear. This study aimed at examining the longitudinal effects of COVID-19-related loneliness on mental health among older adults (aged ≥60 years) in Austria. S...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Mayerl, H., Stolz, E., Freidl, W.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. 2021
Materias:
Short Communication
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8479381/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34678551
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.09.009
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVE: COVID-19-related social restrictions resulted in more loneliness, but whether this had further effects on mental health remains unclear. This study aimed at examining the longitudinal effects of COVID-19-related loneliness on mental health among older adults (aged ≥60 years) in Austria. STUDY DESIGN: Survey data were gathered from a longitudinal observational study among a random sample of older Austrian adults. The first survey wave was conducted in May 2020 (N(1) = 557), and the second wave was conducted in March 2021 (N(2) = 463). METHODS: Data collection was based on either computer-assisted web or telephone interviewing. For statistical analysis, we used a cross-lagged panel analysis. RESULTS: The results showed the perceived COVID-19-related social restrictions to predict loneliness, which in turn predicted depressive and anxiety symptoms 10 months later. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-related loneliness emerged as a risk factor for subsequent mental distress among older adults in Austria.

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