Purpose: We explored the prevalence of psychological distresses associated with Covid-19 and its correlates in elderly people.
Methods:
We utilized survey data that screened psychological distresses associated with Covid-19 in 1,485 elderly people aged 60 or more. The survey was conducted by a trained interviewer who visited the participants. The assessment comprised demographic variables and the six items on psychological distress associated with Covid-19 including stress from work, financial issues, stress from home, fear, apprehension, and helplessness due to Covid-19. Each item was rated on a 5-point scale (much increased, increased, same as before, decreased, and much decreased).
Results:
The proportion of participants who responded “increased” or “much increased” were high as 6.5% (N = 245) for work, 26.8% (N = 398) for money, and 30.2% (N = 449) for home, 68.8% (N = 1,023) for fear, 76.0% (N = 1,128) for apprehension, and 61.9% (N = 920) for helplessness due to Covid-19. Younger age and, having a current job were significantly associated with higher distress regarding work and financial issues. Low household income was also significantly associated with higher distress regarding financial issues. Low education level and having family members living together were associated with increased psychological distress relating to fear, apprehension, and helplessness due to Covid-19.
Conclusion:
Our findings correlating psychological distress associated with Covid-19 provides information for implementing an efficient strategy to improve public mental health in elderly people during the Covid-19 pandemic. Future studies utilizing validated assessment tools are needed to confirm these findings.
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