Remote Support of Elderly Women Participating in Mental Health Promotion Programme during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Group Longitudinal Intervention

The present study aims to analyze the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its sociodemographic-associated factors in Peruvian adults. Data was extracted from a nation-wide representative survey in which depression symptoms were measured with the PHQ-9 and sociodemographic information was extracted from household data. Depression severity rates were estimated for each symptom, and responses were modeled through the Rating Scale Model to obtain a depression measure used as dependent variable on a Generalized Mixed Linear Model. The most frequent depression symptoms were emotional, such as discouragement, sad mood, hopelessness, and lack of pleasure when doing activities. Our model showed that, after controlling the effects of all the variables considered, the most relevant predictors were gender, education level, physiographic region, age, marital status, and number of coresidents. Higher depression levels were found in women, people who did not complete higher education, participants living in the Highlands, older adults, single participants, and people living alone. Thus, interventions to promote or prevent depression severity during similar situations as the pandemic should focus on specific sociodemographic groups and their particular needs.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Its Associated Sociodemographic Factors in Peru during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Zegarra-López

Florentino-Santisteban

Flores-Romero

et al. 2022

“…The role of physical activity in improving mental health and preventing depression is well-established in science [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 ]. The combination of appropriate physical activity and psychological support, information and psychoeducation is extremely important in complex problems such as obesity, high MetS risk and depressive symptoms, as confirmed by previous studies [ 32 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…The therapeutic programme consists of general fitness exercises, health education sessions and psychoeducation, where participants are also encouraged to modify their diet. The project has continuously started a new edition every year since 2016 [ 32 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with Undertaking Health-Promoting Activities by Older Women at High Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

Rusowicz

Serweta

Juszko

et al. 2022

Self Cite

Background: The complexity of health problems concerning women aged ≥60 years makes it necessary to develop effective, low-cost strategies involving biopsychosocial interventions. The aim of this study is to identify the factors associated with undertaking health-promoting activities by older women at high risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) with or without depressive symptoms. Methods: The study group consisted of 70 older women (62–84 years old) undertaking regular physical activity. A self-developed questionnaire (used to determine the living situation, selected lifestyle components and health problems), the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were used. Results: In the study group undertaking regular physical activity, 40% had increased symptoms of depression (D group), and 60% were classified as non-depressed (ND group). The D group had a higher general stress level (t = −6.18, p = 0.001). Improving and/or maintaining physical fitness was identified as the greatest motivation in both groups. Willingness to spend time with other people significantly differed between the two groups (χ2 = 4.148, p = 0.042). The sole factor significantly differentiating between both groups was lack of time (χ2 = 8.777, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Motivations and barriers to undertaking health-promoting activities and levels of perceived stress were significantly different between the depressed and non-depressed groups. It is important to encourage primary care physicians to perform screening tests for late-life depression and to provide information on where therapeutic interventions are available for patients with symptoms of MetS and coexisting depressive symptoms.

“…Such programs should include pro-health education, relaxation, learning the ability to actively cope with stress. The research results show that they can be conducted both in direct contact and remotely [53].…”

Section: Strengths Limitations and Future Research Directionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 Disease Specific to Women: Exploratory Research

Juszko

Szary

Mazurek

et al. 2022

Self Cite

This study was designed to explore COVID-19 in a biopsychosocial model, taking into account the different mental and social consequences of the disease in women and men. A sociodemographic questionnaire containing anthropometric data, socioeconomic data, lifestyle data, health status before COVID-19, course of COVID-19, symptoms, and complications after COVID-19 was administered to 83 women and 64 men to investigate their mental health (MH) and quality of life (QoL). The Hospital Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D) Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF) were adopted. Abnormal results in HADS-D and HADS-A were obtained in 33 (39.8%) women and 10 (15.6%) men and in 26 (31.3%) women and 14 (21.9%) men, respectively. Women experienced a lower level of QoL than men. The prolonged duration of COVID-19 symptoms was associated with increased anxiety in women during recovery. Good self-reported health before COVID-19 in women was associated with reduced QoL. Women had more symptoms of COVID-19 than men, and they experienced neurological complications more often. The presence of neurological complications in women appears to be associated with increased perceived anxiety and reduced QoL. This is an exploratory study whose results can influence future research with larger and more diverse samples.