The value of maintaining social connections for mental health in older people

Newman, Michelle G.; Zainal, Nur Hani

doi:10.1016/s2468-2667(19)30253-1

Cited by 136 publications

(114 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The negative impact of COVID-19 on mental health among the general population has been identified as a research priority ( 1 , 2 , 6 , 33 , 48 ). However, few studies to date have specifically addressed the effect of COVID-19 and consequential social and physical distancing measures on mental wellbeing, specifically among an older population.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With unprecedented population aging; the consequences of social isolation on the mental wellbeing of older people is emerging as a significant public health concern, now exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic ( 1 , 2 ). Previous studies have reported that social disconnection puts older people at greater risk of depression and anxiety ( 3 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations of Social Isolation with Anxiety and Depression During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Older Adults in London, UK

et al. 2020

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The COVID-19 pandemic is imposing a profound negative impact on the health and wellbeing of societies and individuals, worldwide. One concern is the effect of social isolation as a result of social distancing on the mental health of vulnerable populations, including older people. Within six weeks of lockdown, we initiated the CHARIOT COVID-19 Rapid Response Study, a bespoke survey of cognitively healthy older people living in London, to investigate the impact of COVID-19 and associated social isolation on mental and physical wellbeing. The sample was drawn from CHARIOT, a register of people over 50 who have consented to be contacted for aging related research. A total of 7,127 men and women (mean age=70.7 [SD=7.4]) participated in the baseline survey, May–July 2020. Participants were asked about changes to the 14 components of the Hospital Anxiety Depression scale (HADS) after lockdown was introduced in the UK, on 23 rd March. A total of 12.8% of participants reported feeling worse on the depression components of HADS (7.8% men and 17.3% women) and 12.3% reported feeling worse on the anxiety components (7.8% men and 16.5% women). Fewer participants reported feeling improved (1.5% for depression and 4.9% for anxiety). Women, younger participants, those single/widowed/divorced, reporting poor sleep, feelings of loneliness and who reported living alone were more likely to indicate feeling worse on both the depression and/or anxiety components of the HADS. There was a significant negative association between subjective loneliness and worsened components of both depression (OR 17.24, 95% CI 13.20, 22.50) and anxiety (OR 10.85, 95% CI 8.39, 14.03). Results may inform targeted interventions and help guide policy recommendations in reducing the effects of social isolation related to the pandemic, and beyond, on the mental health of older people.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations of Social Isolation with Anxiety and Depression During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey of Older Adults in London, UK

et al. 2020

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“…For those without relatives, support services could be provided by community workers. Online technologies can also be utilized to promote a sense of belonging and provide social support for older people (Newman and Zainal, 2020). Formal services, such as Tele-Help/Tele-Check in Italy, telephone support, and monitoring, have demonstrated benefits in suicide prevention for older people (De Leo et al, 2002).…”

Section: Targeting Loneliness and Disconnectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19: the implications for suicide in older adults

Wand

Zhong

Chiu

et al. 2020

Int. Psychogeriatr.

163

134

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“…Those who do not have access to technology and have very limited resources are often much more isolated and unable to connect with others outside of the home. This lack of social interaction can lead to long-term distress and a decline in emotional well-being; this effect is more prominent especially among geriatrics who have limited fluency with digital platforms (Newman and Zainal, 2020). The regular social support older adults relied on may be diminished.…”

Section: Poor Social Well-beingmentioning

confidence: 99%