A Study of the Association between the Stringency of Covid-19 Government Measures and Depression in Older Adults across Europe and Israel
Open Access
- 29 July 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Vol. 18 (15), 8017
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158017
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is having major adverse consequences for the mental health of individuals worldwide. Alongside the direct impact of the virus on individuals, government responses to tackling its spread, such as quarantine, lockdown, and physical distancing measures, have been found to have a profound impact on mental health. This is manifested in an increased prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. As older adults are more vulnerable and severely affected by the pandemic, they may be at increased psychological risk when seeking to protect themselves from COVID-19. Methods: Our study aims to quantify the association between the stringency of measures and increased feelings of sadness/depression in a sample of 31,819 Europeans and Israelis aged 65 and above. We hypothesize that more stringent measures make it more likely that individuals will report increased feelings of sadness or depression. Conclusions: We found that more stringent measures across countries in Europe and Israel affect the mental health of older individuals. The prevalence of increased feelings of sadness/depression was higher in Southern European countries, where the measures were more stringent. We therefore recommend paying particular attention to the possible effects of pandemic control measures on the mental health of older people.Funding Information
- Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (SHARE-DEV3: GA N 676536; SHARECOHESION: GA N 870628, SERISS: GA N 654221, SSHOC: GA N 823782))
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (AAC No 01/SAICT /2016, Application No 022209 - DATALAB)
- National Institute on Aging (U01 AG09740-13S2, P01 AG005842, P01 AG08291, P30 AG12815, R21 AG025169, Y1-AG-4553-01, IAG BSR06- 11 and OGHA 04-064)
- European Regional Development Fund (AAC No 01/SAICT /2016, Application No 022209 - DATALAB)
- European Commission through the 5th Framework Programme (QLK6-CT-2001-00360, SHARE-I3, RII-CT-2006-062193, COMPARE, CIT5-CT-2005-028857, and SHARELIFE, CIT4-CT- 2006-028812, SHARE-PREP, No 211909, SHARE-LEAP, No 227822 and SHARE M4, No 261982)
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