The impact of COVID-19 related adversity on the course of mental health during the pandemic and the role of protective factors: a longitudinal study among older adults in The Netherlands

Abstract

Purpose Many studies report about risk factors associated with adverse changes in mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic while few studies report about protective and buffering factors, especially in older adults. We present an observational study to assess protective and buffering factors against COVID-19 related adverse mental health changes in older adults. Methods 899 older adults (55 +) in the Netherlands were followed from 2018/19 to two pandemic time points (June–October 2020 and March–August 2021). Questionnaires included exposure to pandemic-related adversities (“COVID-19 exposure”), depressive and anxiety symptoms, loneliness, and pre-pandemic functioning. Linear regression analyses estimated main effects of COVID-19 exposure and protective factors on mental health changes; interaction effects were tested to identify buffering factors. Results Compared to pre-pandemic, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms and loneliness increased. A higher score on the COVID-19 adversity index was associated with stronger negative mental health changes. Main effects: internet use and high mastery decreased depressive symptoms; a larger network decreased anxiety symptoms; female gender, larger network size and praying decreased loneliness. COVID-19 vaccination buffered against COVID-19 exposure-induced anxiety and loneliness, a partner buffered against COVID-19 exposure induced loneliness. Conclusion Exposure to COVID-19 adversity had a cumulative negative impact on mental health. Improving coping, finding meaning, stimulating existing religious and spiritual resources, network interventions and stimulating internet use may enable older adults to maintain mental health during events with large societal impact, yet these factors appear protective regardless of exposure to specific adversities. COVID-19 vaccination had a positive effect on mental health.

Factors associated with change in moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety and depression in community-living adults and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Social and economic disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic posed a risk to marital satisfaction (Carrese-Chacra et al, 2023 ) and the well-being of families and communities (Prime et al, 2020 ). A recent study on Dutch older adults aged 55 years and over showed that regardless of pre-pandemic mental health, size of network was associated with symptoms of anxiety during the pandemic (Holwerda et al, 2023 ). A study during the COVID-19 pandemic focusing on the change in quality of relationships between married adults with children also showed a steeper decline in satisfaction with the relationship in women and in individuals with symptoms of depression (James et al, 2022 ).…”

Influence of gender identity on the adoption of religious-spiritual, preventive and emotion-focused coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan

“…Similarly, a recent study in Morocco highlighted the use of religiosity, and charity during COVID-19 [ 57 ]. In addition, based on findings from the Netherlands, a study stated that stimulating existing religious and spiritual resources may enable persons to function better in case of pandemics and other collective stressors [ 58 ]. The current study reported higher preventive coping such as avoiding going outside without purpose, preferring to stay home when not well, staying at least 6 ft. away from people, and covering mouth with tissue/inside of elbow while sneezing or sneezing coughing.…”