Paul A Strutt1,2, Carly J Johnco1,3, Jessamine Chen1,3, Courtney Muir1,3, Olivia Maurice1, Piers Dawes1,4, Joyce Siette1,5, Cintia Botelho Dias1,6, Heidi Hillebrandt1,6, Viviana M Wuthrich1,3. 1. Centre for Ageing, Cognition and Wellbeing, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 2. Department of Cognitive Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 3. Department of Psychology, Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 4. Department of Linguistics, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 5. Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 6. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on health and lifestyle factors for older adults in Sydney, Australia. The study examined demographic differences, social engagement, loneliness, physical activity, emotion regulation, technology use, and grandparenting experiences and their contribution to emotional health and quality of life during lockdown. METHODS: Participants were 201 community-dwelling older adults (60-87 years, M = 70.55, SD = 6.50; 67.8% female) who completed self-report scales measuring physical and emotional health outcomes, quality of life, health service utilization, changes in diet and physical activity, impacts on grandparenting roles, and uptake of new technology. RESULTS: One-third of older adults experienced depression, and 1 in 5 experienced elevated anxiety and/or psychological distress during lockdown. Specific emotion regulation strategies, better social and family engagement, and new technology use were associated with better emotional health and quality of life; 63% of older adults used new technologies to connect with others. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults were adaptable and resilient during lockdown, demonstrating high uptake of new technologies to remain connected to others, while negative emotional health outcomes were linked to loneliness and unhelpful emotion regulation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Further diversifying use of video technologies may facilitate improved physical and emotional health outcomes.
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown on health and lifestyle factors for older adults in Sydney, Australia. The study examined demographic differences, social engagement, loneliness, physical activity, emotion regulation, technology use, and grandparenting experiences and their contribution to emotional health and quality of life during lockdown. METHODS: Participants were 201 community-dwelling older adults (60-87 years, M = 70.55, SD = 6.50; 67.8% female) who completed self-report scales measuring physical and emotional health outcomes, quality of life, health service utilization, changes in diet and physical activity, impacts on grandparenting roles, and uptake of new technology. RESULTS: One-third of older adults experienced depression, and 1 in 5 experienced elevated anxiety and/or psychological distress during lockdown. Specific emotion regulation strategies, better social and family engagement, and new technology use were associated with better emotional health and quality of life; 63% of older adults used new technologies to connect with others. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults were adaptable and resilient during lockdown, demonstrating high uptake of new technologies to remain connected to others, while negative emotional health outcomes were linked to loneliness and unhelpful emotion regulation. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Further diversifying use of video technologies may facilitate improved physical and emotional health outcomes.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aging; COVID-19; coronavirus; diet; emotion regulation; exercise; health care; mental health; service utilization; technology use
Authors: Christopher C Mayer; Erika Mosor; Martin Bachler; Sabrina Stani; Lukas Roedl; Markus Muellner-Rieder; Beatrix Cichocki-Richtig; Viviane von Dollen; Sabine Pasterk; Julia Aldrian; Paul Köberl; Tanja Stamm Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2022-03 Impact factor: 3.850
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