Common mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: Age-related differences and implications for dementia risk

Kwok, Jessie O. T.; Yan, Rachel W. K.; Kwok, Charlotte P. C.; Cheng, Gabriel W. H.; Lin, Cuichan; Wong, Brian H. C.; Cheng, Sheung Tak; Lee, Allen T C; Lam, Linda Chiu Wa

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.909162

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 67 publications

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“…Despite greater exposure to COVID-19 stressors among middleaged and older adults, pandemic depression appears to be less prevalent in this group compared with younger individuals (García-Portilla et al, 2021;Kwok et al, 2022;Nwachukwu et al, 2020;Varma et al, 2021). Yet, it may potentially impose severe consequences for some middleaged and older adults, as suicide is more common and more closely linked to depression among older individuals (Conwell et al, 1998).…”

Section: Covid-19 Depression and Activity Engagementmentioning

confidence: 88%

Profiles of activity engagement and depression trajectories as COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed.

Chia,

Hartanto,

Tov

2024

Psychology and Aging

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Given elevated depression rates since the onset of the pandemic and potential downstream implications, this research examined the association between activity engagement and depression among middle-aged and older adults postlockdown. This study aimed to (a) identify activity engagement profiles among middle-aged and older adults, (b) understand factors associated with profile memberships, and (c) compare depression trajectories across profiles as COVID-19 restrictions eased over 16 months in Singapore. This longitudinal study involved 6,568 middle-aged and older adults. Latent growth analysis was first conducted to obtain estimates of depression trajectories for each individual. Latent profile analysis was then conducted to identify different activity profiles. Finally, profile characteristics and depression trajectories across these different profiles were compared. Results indicated four profiles that varied in social and physical activity. Although digital activity was negatively associated with depression at baseline, it did not explain depression trajectories as restrictions eased. Over time, depression decreased for all profiles; however, those who were inactive on all activities except digital contact tended to experience more persistent symptoms, compared with those who were highly engaged in physical and outdoor activities. Individuals who were only active digitally tended to experience more prepandemic negative affect, were more introverted and neurotic, less open, agreeable, and conscientious, and had worse health and mobility, lower income, and lower education. Findings highlight how imprecise conceptualizations of activity engagement may obscure subtle activity engagement-depression relations. Public Significance StatementFindings from the present study suggest a role of physical and outdoor activities in mitigating depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings also suggest that even as safe distancing measures are lifted, individuals who are more introverted, neurotic, had greater prepandemic negative affect, less open, agreeable, and conscientious, had worse health and mobility, lower income, and lower education, may be more vulnerable to persistent depressive symptoms.

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Section: Covid-19 Depression and Activity Engagementmentioning

confidence: 88%

Profiles of activity engagement and depression trajectories as COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed.

Chia,

Hartanto,

Tov

2024

Psychology and Aging

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Effects of reminiscence therapy combined with memory specificity training (RT-MeST) on depressive symptoms in older adults: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Zhang

et al. 2023

BMC Geriatr

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Background Geriatric depression has become a serious public health problem, and reduced autobiographical memory and increased overgeneral memory, as the main cognitive markers of depression, are not only associated with current depressive symptoms but also associated with the onset and course of depression, which can lead to a range of harms. Economic and effective psychological interventions are urgently needed. The aim of this study is to confirm the effectiveness of reminiscence therapy combined with memory specificity training in improving autobiographical memory and depressive symptoms in older adults. Methods In this multicentre, single-blind, three-arm parallel randomized controlled study, we aim to enrol 78 older adults aged 65 years or older with a score of ≥ 11 on the Geriatric Depression Scale, and participants will be randomly assigned to either a reminiscence therapy group, a reminiscence therapy with memory specificity training group or a usual care group. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (T0) as well as immediately post-intervention (T1) and 1 (T2), 3 (T3) and 6 (T4) months post-intervention. The primary outcome measure is self-reported depressive symptoms, measured using the GDS. Secondary outcome measures include measures of autobiographical memory, rumination, and social engagement. Discussion We believe that the intervention will play a positive role in improving autobiographical memory and depressive symptoms in older adults. Poor autobiographical memory is a predictor of depression and a major cognitive marker, and improving autobiographical memory is of great significance in alleviating depressive symptoms in older people. If our program is effective, it will provide a convenient and feasible strategy for further promoting healthy ageing. Trial registration ChiCTR2200065446.

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Common mental disorders and associated factors among adults after COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Wondmeneh,

Solomon

2024

BMC Psychiatry

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Background Global mental health has been threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic, both directly through long-lasting neuropsychiatric disorders that occur during primary infection in affected individuals and indirectly through stressful and disruptive societal changes. Thus, this study determined the pooled prevalence of common mental disorders and associated factors among adults after COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using primary published and unpublished studies that were retrieved from various databases. Studies conducted on adults, published in English, and conducted in Ethiopia were included in this review. A standardized data extraction format developed from Excel was used to collect the data. A random effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled effect size of all included studies at a 95% confidence interval. The heterogeneity was evaluated by Cochran Q test and the I-squared. Funnel plot and egger tests were used to determine publication bias. Results A total of 20 studies were eligible for this systematic review. The pooled prevalence of common mental disorders among adults was 40.44% (95%CI: 31.86–49.02%). Female gender (AOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.33–2.44), unemployed (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.12–2.98), poor social support (AOR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.08–4.17), substance use (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.58–3.41), history of mental illness (AOR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.01–2.44), family history of mental illness (AOR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.54–3.41), and chronic medical illness (AOR = 1.6, 95%CI:1.02–2.17) were risk factors for common mental disorders. Conclusion In this study, more than one-third of adults were affected by common mental disorders after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This indicated that, in order to reduce the prevalence of common mental disorders, enhancing the provision of mental health services should be improved after the COVID-19 pandemic. Screening for common mental disorders should be given, especially to females, unemployed people, substance users, chronic medically ill people, those with a history of mental illnesses, and those with a family history of mental illness. Strengthening social support during the COVID-19 pandemic is also important. PROSPERO protocol registration The registration ID for this systematic review is CRD42024496826. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-024-06290-1.

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Common mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong: Age-related differences and implications for dementia risk

Cited by 3 publications

References 67 publications

Profiles of activity engagement and depression trajectories as COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed.

Profiles of activity engagement and depression trajectories as COVID-19 restrictions were relaxed.

Effects of reminiscence therapy combined with memory specificity training (RT-MeST) on depressive symptoms in older adults: a randomized controlled trial protocol

Common mental disorders and associated factors among adults after COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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