Dataset Information

Predictors of persistent depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of psychological distress for older adults during a period of reduced access to mental health support. We identified predictors of persistent depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults throughout the initial 9 months of the pandemic.

Methods

This was a longitudinal study using web-based surveys sent to a convenience sample of Canadians aged ≥55 years. A baseline survey was sent in May 2020, with eight surveys sent monthly between June 2020 and January 2021. Data were separated into three study periods, corresponding to coronavirus case rates. Respondents who met predetermined thresholds for elevated depressive or anxiety symptoms using standardized mental health scales during all three periods were defined as having persistent symptoms. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to compare the risk of persistent symptoms across respondent characteristics selected a priori.

Results

There were 835 respondents who answered questions about depressive symptoms and 865 who answered questions about anxiety symptoms across all three study periods. Among those with complete follow-up data, 19.2% (n = 159/827) reported persistent depressive symptoms and 16.4% (n = 140/856) reported persistent anxiety symptoms. Respondents with persistent depressive symptoms were more likely to be women (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.71; 95% CI 1.19-2.46), and report multimorbidity (aRR 1.45; 95% CI 1.07-1.97), pre-existing depression (aRR 2.00; 95% CI 1.45-2.77) and pre-existing anxiety (aRR 1.50; 95% CI 1.10-2.06). The same respondent characteristics were correlates of persistently elevated anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions

Older women, older adults with pre-existing depression and anxiety, and those with multimorbidity were more likely to report persistent mental health symptoms during the first 9 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. These individuals were known to have elevated risk prior to the pandemic, and expanded interventions targeted to these groups are necessary to adequately address their mental health needs.

SUBMITTER: Siddhpuria S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9874605 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Predictors of persistent depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

Siddhpuria Shailee S Webber Colleen C Mahar Alyson L AL Hallet Julie J Rochon Paula A PA Reppas-Rindlisbacher Christina C

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 20221012 2

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the risk of psychological distress for older adults during a period of reduced access to mental health support. We identified predictors of persistent depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults throughout the initial 9 months of the pandemic.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a longitudinal study using web-based surveys sent to a convenience sample of Canadians aged ≥55 years. A baseline survey was sent in May 2020, with eight surveys sent mon ...[more]

PMID: 36222188

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Dataset Information

Predictors of persistent depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Predictors of persistent depressive and anxiety symptoms among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

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