Age-related differences in depressive symptoms and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Objective The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has particularly influenced the mental health of younger adults; accordingly, this study investigated age-related factors related to mental health and provided suggestions related to mental health recovery. Methods A web-based longitudinal survey was conducted from 2020 to 2021 in Japan. The survey consisted of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), used to measure depressive symptoms as a response variable, and an anger questionnaire and coping strategy scale to assess explanatory variables. Results A total of 1468 participants were analyzed (valid response rate = 54.2%); 368 were younger adults (age range = 20–39), 667 were middle-aged adults (age range = 40–64), and 433 were aged adults (age range = 65–79). The PHQ-9 scores in the younger adults worsened over the three survey timepoints. State anger was strongly related to PHQ-9 scores in all age groups (standardized beta = 0.39–0.47), and state anger in the younger group was highest at all survey times, In the younger group, only nonadaptive coping strategies were related to PHQ-9 scores. Emotional support, venting, and humor adaptive strategies used by middle-aged and aged adults were most commonly used by younger adults; however, there were no significant relationships of these strategies with PHQ-9 scores in the younger group. Conclusion The level of depressive symptoms among the younger adults might be considerably worse than the middle-aged and aged adult. The younger adults might not make use of strategies, hence, they might need advice and skill training of strategies.

Symptoms of depression and anxiety among Vietnamese immigrants in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional web-based study

“…This means that young people are at high risk. Similar reports have been seen in Vietnam and Japan under the COVID-19 pandemic; [25, 38] therefore, this result may not be a characteristic issue for Vietnamese immigrants in Japan. However, young Vietnamese individuals in Japan find it difficult to respond to changes in their living environment due to COVID-19 pandemic, which is expected to lead to an increase in their depressive symptoms.…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on self-efficacy scores and intensity of depressiveness in people aged over 60 years providing kinship foster care

“…These results are consistent with those obtained in other studies comparing the intensity of depressive symptoms among young adults, middle-aged people and the elderly during the pandemic. The symptoms were least severe among the elderly [23].…”

Turning to Religion During COVID-19 (Part II): A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Studies on the Relationship between Religious Coping and Mental Health throughout COVID-19

“…about how many % of the sample were female; mean age was 32.7 (SD = 6.9) RC: Brief-COPE; Depressive symptoms: MDI No relationship between RC and depressive symptoms Davis et al ( 2021 ) [USA] T1 (1 month prepandemic): 1036; T2 (1 month into the pandemic): 453; T3 (3 months into the pandemic): 302 [GPs] 6 February 2020 6 June 2020 Women were 47.4% of the sample; n.i. about age RC: Brief-RCOPE; Depressive symptoms: PHQ-9 No relationship between RC and depressive symptoms Faronbi et al ( 2021 ) [Nigeria] 272 [nursing students] 1 November 2019 30 November 2019 Women were 89.0% of the group; mean age was 33.77 (SD = 5.71) RC: Brief-COPE; Depressive symptoms: BDI No relationship between RC and depressive symptoms Fukase et al ( 2022 ) [Japan] 1468 [GPs] 17 July 2020 22 July 2020 45.2% of the sample were female; mean age was 52.60 (SD = 15.82) RC: Brief-COPE; Depressive symptoms: PHQ-9 No relationship between RC and depressive symptoms Ghoncheh et al ( 2021 ) [Iran] 696 [older adults] 1 November 2020 30 January 2021 57.9% of the sample were female; mean age was 69.56 years (SD = 9.31) RC: SCS; Depressive symptoms: HADS RC was negatively correlated with severity of depressive symptoms Lopes and Nihei ( 2021 ) [Brasil] 1224 [undergraduate students] 14 September 2020 19 October 2020 68.6% of the sample were female; age: 18–24: 77.9%; > 24: 22.1% RC: Brief-COPE; Depressive symptoms: DASS-21 RC was negatively correlated with depressive symptoms Mahamid and Bdier ( 2021 ) [Palestine] 400 [GPs] …”