The effect of pre-pandemic PTSD and depression symptoms on mental distress among older adults during COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To explore the extent that pre-COVID-19 comorbid PTSD-depression symptoms prospectively predict mental distress among older adults during COVID-19.

Methods

We used the Israeli component of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE-Israel), and focused on older adults who participated in 2015 and 2020 and were aged 60 years old or above in 2020 (N = 754). Mental distress was measured via symptoms of depression, feeling anxious\nervous, and loneliness.

Results

Older adults who suffered from PTSD-depression comorbidity prior to the pandemic showed the highest risk of feeling more depressed, anxious\nervous, and lonelier than those with no pre-pandemic symptoms.

Conclusions

This study suggests that it would be beneficial to prioritize

SUBMITTER: Cohn-Schwartz E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9125133 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature