Work

Adaptation to changes in COVID-19 pandemic severity: Across older adulthood and time scales.

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: = 221), older adults (aged 51-95) were assessed weekly over up to 8 weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher national pandemic severity was associated with more cognitive difficulties, more depressive symptoms, and more stress. In an opposite pattern from Study 1, estimated increases were larger for a 65-year-old than for an 85-year-old. Old-old adults might be most susceptible to long-term psychological effects of the pandemic era, as in Study 1, but more resilient to short-term effects, as in Study 2. Coping strategies associated with increasing age may be less efficacious for more chronic and severe problems. Conversely, the same coping strategies may be more efficacious for shorter, less severe problems. Differentiating between reactivity to longer term and shorter term pandemic stressors can identify the most resilient or vulnerable ages within older adulthood. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychology and Aging

DOI: 10.1037/pag0000739

Authors: Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Paris Crosby, Dakota D. Witzel, Maria L. Kurth, Soyoung Choun, Carolyn M. Aldwin

Institutions: University of Kentucky, Oregon State University

Language: English

Topic: COVID-19 and Mental Health

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Oregon State University, National Institute on Aging