Howard Litwin1, Michal Levinsky1. 1. Israel Gerontological Data Center, Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This article examines the influence of social networks on selected aspects of mental health following the outbreak of the coronavirus. METHOD: We linked data from a post outbreak telephone survey in 2020 by the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, with baseline data from SHARE Wave 6 (2016) (n = 33,485). Two mental health measures (depression and anxiety) were regressed on social network variables relevant to the Covid-19 crisis (frequency of face-to-face contact and frequency of contact through electronic means), controlling for confounders. Interactions of age group and social networks were considered. Baseline mental health was controlled, focusing the analysis on post-outbreak mental health change. RESULTS: Face-to-face network contact significantly reduced negative mental health changes while electronic contact significantly increased them. The age interactions were insignificant. Country differences were observed. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that face-to-face social networks can moderate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on important aspects of mental health.
OBJECTIVES: This article examines the influence of social networks on selected aspects of mental health following the outbreak of the coronavirus. METHOD: We linked data from a post outbreak telephone survey in 2020 by the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, with baseline data from SHARE Wave 6 (2016) (n = 33,485). Two mental health measures (depression and anxiety) were regressed on social network variables relevant to the Covid-19 crisis (frequency of face-to-face contact and frequency of contact through electronic means), controlling for confounders. Interactions of age group and social networks were considered. Baseline mental health was controlled, focusing the analysis on post-outbreak mental health change. RESULTS: Face-to-face network contact significantly reduced negative mental health changes while electronic contact significantly increased them. The age interactions were insignificant. Country differences were observed. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that face-to-face social networks can moderate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on important aspects of mental health.
Authors: Beatriz Oliveros; Esteban Agulló-Tomás; Luis-Javier Márquez-Álvarez Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-01 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Estrelle Thunnissen; Veerle Buffel; Thijs Reyniers; Christiana Nöstlinger; Edwin Wouters Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-04 Impact factor: 4.614