The Impact of Age on Negative Emotional Reactions, Compliance With Health Guidelines, and Knowledge About the Virus During the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Longitudinal Study From Israel

Abstract

In a longitudinal study we examined the impact of age on negative emotional reactions, compliance with health guidelines and knowledge about the virus during the COVID-19 epidemic. A total of 2509 people participated in a two-phase study: 1424 participants in the first phase (March 12-21) and 1085 participants in the second phase (April 23 to May 5). Age was categorized into 4 groups: age 18 to 30, age 31 to 40, age 41 to 50, and age 51 and over. In the first and second phase, compliance with health guidelines was highest among participants over the age of 50. Knowledge was significantly higher in the second phase than in the first among participants over age 50 and those between the ages of 40 and 50. In the second phase, knowledge did not differ by age group. Negative emotional reactions were significantly higher in the first phase than in the second. Moreover, negative emotional reactions were higher among participants up to age 30 than among all other participants. Perceived susceptibility did not differ by phase or by age group. The paper underscores the impact of age during the COVID-19 epidemic and points to the necessity of taking the needs of different age groups into consideration.

A Comparison of Depression and Anxiety among University Students in Nine Countries during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The perceived impact of COVID-19 on students' economic status was significantly associated with depression and anxiety in the majority of the countries, as the above analysis showed. The deterioration of economic status as a risk factor for both depression and anxiety is in line with other studies [85,86]. However, when economic status was introduced in multiple models, it turned out to be a trivial predictor of depression, while being a significant predictor of anxiety only in one country (Czechia).…”

You Must Stay at Home! The Impact of Commands on Behaviors During COVID-19

“…For Part 1, procedures in both studies were similar. All participants first answered the consent form, after which we measured two covariates-age and gender (male vs. female vs. other)-given their links to compliance with COVID-19 recommendations (Galasso et al, 2020;Levkovich, 2020). Thereafter, participants were randomly allocated to one of the message language conditions and read the corresponding messages (see Table 1 and SM, pp.…”

Depression and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Elderly Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Israel: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Initial data point toward older individuals as being particularly vulnerable. [1][2][3][4][5] From its initial stages, the COVID-19 pandemic was portrayed in Israel as a problem for the older population. [5][6][7] Older adults were increasingly encouraged to isolate themselves from younger people, thereby creating an age distinction in the perceived consequences of COVID-19.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] From its initial stages, the COVID-19 pandemic was portrayed in Israel as a problem for the older population. [5][6][7] Older adults were increasingly encouraged to isolate themselves from younger people, thereby creating an age distinction in the perceived consequences of COVID-19. 4 The probable rise in the incidence of serious health complications from COVID-19 among older adults, particularly those with preexisting conditions, has intensified their physical and social isolation, which may increase the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression among this population group.…”