Age Differences in COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Mental Health: Evidence From a National U.S. Survey Conducted in March 2020.
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TLDR
U.S. adults who were relatively older appeared to have a more optimistic outlook and better mental health during the early stages of the pandemic, and interventions may be needed to help people of all ages maintain realistic perceptions of the risks, while also managing depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis.Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Theories of aging posit that older adult age is associated with less negative emotions, but few studies have examined age differences at times of novel challenges. As COVID-19 spread in the United States, this study therefore aimed to examine age differences in risk perceptions, anxiety and depression. METHOD: In March 2020, a nationally representative address-based sample of 6666 US adults assessed their perceived risk of getting COVID-19, dying if getting it, getting quarantined, losing their job (if currently working), and running out of money. They completed a mental health assessment for anxiety and depression. Demographic variables and pre-crisis depression diagnosis had previously been reported. RESULTS: In regression analyses controlling for demographic variables and survey date, older adult age was associated with perceiving larger risks of dying if getting COVID-19, but with perceiving less risk of getting COVID-19, getting quarantined, or running out of money, as well as less depression and anxiety. Findings held after additionally controlling for pre-crisis reports of depression diagnosis. DISCUSSION: With the exception of perceived infection-fatality risk, US adults who were relatively older appeared to have a more optimistic outlook and better mental health during the early stages of the pandemic. Interventions may be needed to help people of all ages maintain realistic perceptions of the risks, while also managing depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Implications for risk communication and mental health interventions are discussed.read more
Citations
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COVID-19 worries and mental health: the moderating effect of age.
TL;DR: Older age may buffer against the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, and is generally associated with better emotional well-being, despite increased likelihood of negative events with age.
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Associations of risk perception of COVID-19 with emotion and mental health during the pandemic.
Qing Han,Bang Zheng,Maximilian Agostini,Jocelyn J. Bélanger,Ben Gützkow,Jannis Kreienkamp,Anne Margit Reitsema,Jolien van Breen,N. Pontus Leander +8 more
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Jasmine Turna,Jasmine Zhang,Nina Lamberti,Beth Patterson,William Simpson,Ana Paula Francisco,Carolina Goldman Bergmann,Michael Van Ameringen +7 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a link to an online survey was posted from April 8th - June 11th, 2020 which included questions regarding COVID-19 experience, perceived impact of the pandemic on life domains (e.g., social communication, finances), behavioural alterations (eg., online activities, substance use), and MH treatment history.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted a comprehensive and systematic national assessment of the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the adult US population using a multitem, valid and reliable questionnaire deployed online via mTurk and social media sites to recruit adult US participants across the USA.
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