Effects of Anxiety, Stress and Perceived Social Support on Depression and Loneliness Among Older People During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Path Analysis

Sep 4, 2024Inquiry : a journal of medical care organization, provision and financing

How Anxiety, Stress, and Feeling Supported Affect Depression and Loneliness in Older Adults During COVID-19

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Abstract

A significant effect of anxiety on depression (β = .68, P < .001) and perceived stress (β = .65, P < .001) was observed among 112 older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anxiety is associated with increased levels of depression and perceived stress in older adults.
There is an indirect effect of anxiety on loneliness through perceived stress and social support.
is negatively associated with loneliness, suggesting its potential protective role.
Timely interventions aimed at reducing anxiety and enhancing social support may help alleviate depressive symptoms and loneliness in this population.

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, older people were exposed to high levels of anxiety and stress leading to loneliness and depressive disorders. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of anxiety, positive coping, , and perceived stress on depression and loneliness among older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional online/telephone survey. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used. Participants were 112 people aged 60 years and above, without cognitive impairment, who experienced confinement (from March 2020 onward) and had access to the internet or telephone. A model showed a direct significant effect of anxiety on both, depression (β = .68, P < .001) and perceived stress (β = .65, P < .001), as well as an indirect effect of anxiety on loneliness via perceived stress (β = .65) (β = .40); and social support (β = -.21) (β = -.20). The model showed adequate fit(df = 4) =5.972, P = .201; RMSEA = 0.066 (0.000, 0.169), CFI = 0.992; TLI = 0.970. Anxiety had a significant effect on depressive symptoms as well as on loneliness via perceived social support and perceived stress. According to our findings, in order to reduce depressive symptoms and perceived loneliness, it is essential to develop timely interventions that decrease levels of anxiety and stress and increase levels of perceived social support in older people, particularly when there are any restrictions, physical or contextual, that prevent face-to-face contact. This can be achieved by implementing preventive community-based programs, enhancing accessibility to mental health services, and collaborating with local support groups, among others. χ 2

Key numbers

β = .68

Direct Effect of Anxiety on Depression

Effect size in model

β = .65

Direct Effect of Anxiety on Perceived Stress

Effect size in model

112

Participants in Study

Total number of participants aged 60 and above

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Abstract

Key numbers

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