Mental health and well-being in times of COVID-19: A mixed-methods study of the role of neighborhood parks, outdoor spaces, and nature among US older adults

Nature exposure and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Navigation Guide systematic review with meta-analysis

Prior reviews have highlighted that nature exposure was a valuable coping strategy enhancing mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, no existing reviews have determined the quality of evidence and risk of bias of the empirical studies supporting this claim. To address this gap, we employed a Navigation Guide systematic review and meta-analysis approach to investigate associations between nature exposure and mental health during the pandemic. Searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycInfo retrieved relevant articles published between January 1, 2020, and March 4, 2024. We used the Navigation Guide methodology to assess the risk of bias and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) assessments to evaluate the overall quality of evidence. Our search retrieved 113 studies that met the inclusion criteria and reported diverse types of exposure, including nature availability, nature visit frequency, green space accessibility, and green space type, alongside associations with 12 mental health outcomes. Meta-analyses found access to gardens was associated with lower odds of depression [(Pooled odds ratio [OR] = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.61, 0.82), I2 = 0%, n = 3] and anxiety [(Pooled OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.63, 0.84), I2 = 0%, n = 3]. Increased time in green spaces was associated with lower level of stress [(Pooled Corr = -0.11, 95%CI = -0.17, -0.05), I2 = 0%, n = 2]. Higher frequency of visits to nature was associated with improved mental well-being [(Pooled standardized beta = 0.10, 95%CI = 0.07, 0.14), I2 = 0%, n = 2] and general mental health [(Pooled standardized beta = 0.11, 95%CI = 0.03-0.38), I2 = 82%, n = 2]. However, the number of pooled studies was small and the overall quality of evidence was "very low" for all outcomes, and high levels of bias were observed (26% of studies had high, 71% probably high). Nonetheless, given the trends in the results, nature-based solutions emphasizing exposure to gardens and green spaces near the home may have promoted psychological resilience during this public health crisis.

Older adults' experiences of wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative qualitative study in Italy and Switzerland

Background

Particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, adults aged 65 and older were portrayed as a homogeneously vulnerable population due to the elevated health risks associated with contracting the COVID-19 disease. This portrayal, combined with travel restrictions, closures of economic sectors, country-wide lockdowns, and suggestions by governmental authorities to limit social contact, had important implications for the wellbeing of older individuals. However, older adults are a heterogeneous population who relies on different resources to cope with stressful periods, like the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneously, countries also employed different measures to contain the virus. Research thus far has focused on the short-term consequences of the pandemic, but studies have yet to address its long-term consequences.

Objectives

We explore older adults' lived experiences nearly 2 years after the pandemic onset. Moreover, we focus on the bordering countries of Switzerland and Italy, who employed contrasting containment measures. This paper analyzes (1) How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the experiences of wellbeing of older adults in these regions and (2) How older adults coped with the stressors brought about by the pandemic, in particular social distancing.

Methods

The paper draws on 31 semi-structured interviews with 11 Swiss natives residing in Switzerland, 10 Italian migrants residing in Switzerland, and 10 Italian natives residing in Italy. Interviews were conducted from December 2021 to March 2022.

Results

Coping mechanisms of the three groups related to acceptance, hobbies, cognitive reframing, telephone use, vaccine use and social distancing. However, results show heterogeneous experiences of wellbeing, with Swiss natives sharing more positive narratives than the other two groups. Moreover, Italian migrants and Italian natives expressed the long-term negative consequences of the pandemic on their experienced wellbeing.

Exploring the impact of pandemic fear on visitation to park attractions in urban city: A case study in Seoul, South Korea

This research explores changes in perceptions and utilization of parks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Seoul, South Korea. It investigates the relationship between fear of the pandemic and individuals' opinions about open spaces and their visiting decisions. The study surveyed 600 adults from February 22-23, 2022, and used structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The findings revealed that increased fear of the pandemic led to more positive park sentiments, resulting in higher park visits and fewer visits to other public spaces. The research highlights the significance of parks during the COVID-19 pandemic and how people's perceptions were influenced by their pandemic-related fear.

Genetic predisposition for negative affect predicts mental health burden during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was accompanied by an increase in mental health challenges including depression, stress, loneliness, and anxiety. Common genetic variants can contribute to the risk for psychiatric disorders and may present a risk factor in times of crises. However, it is unclear to what extent polygenic risk played a role in the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate whether polygenic scores (PGSs) for mental health-related traits can distinguish between four resilience-vulnerability trajectories identified during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns in 2020/21. We used multinomial regression in a genotyped subsample (n = 1316) of the CovSocial project. The most resilient trajectory characterized by the lowest mental health burden and the highest recovery rates served as the reference group. Compared to this most resilient trajectory, a higher value on the PGS for the well-being spectrum decreased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.3%). Conversely, a higher value on the PGS for neuroticism increased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.2%). Latent change in mental health burden extracted from the resilience-vulnerability trajectories was not associated with any PGS. Although our findings support an influence of PGS on mental health during COVID-19, the small added explained variance suggests limited utility of such genetic markers for the identification of vulnerable individuals in the general population.

Green spaces exposure and the risk of common psychiatric disorders: A meta-analysis

Objective

To explore the effects of green spaces exposure on common psychiatric disorders.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and MEDLINE were screened and articles published prior to November 15, 2023 were included. Analyses were performed on common psychiatric disorders, categorized into depression, anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And the subgroup analyses were conducted for depression, anxiety, dementia, and schizophrenia.

Results

In total, 2,0064 studies were retrieved, 59 of which were included in our study; 37 for depression, 14 for anxiety, 8 for dementia, 7 for schizophrenia and 5 for ADHD. Green spaces were found to benefit the moderation of psychiatric disorders (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.92). Green spaces positively influence depression (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.86 to 0.93), regardless of the cross-sectional or cohort studies. Green spaces can also help mitigate the risk of anxiety (OR = 0.94, 95%CI:0.92 to 0.96). As an important index for measuring green spaces, a higher normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) level related to a lower level of depression (OR = 0.95, 95%CI:0.91 to 0.98) and anxiety (OR = 0.95, 95%:0.92 to 0.98). The protection was also found in dementia (OR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93 to 0.96), schizophrenia (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.82), and ADHD (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.86 to 0.92) results.

Conclusion

Green spaces decrease the risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, dementia, schizophrenia, and ADHD. Further studies on green spaces and psychiatric disorders are needed, and more green spaces should be considered in city planning.

Perceived urban green spaces and youth mental health in the post-COVID-19 era

Introduction

The urban green space (UGS) is one of the most significant urban spaces with unique visual and social features, including pleasant air, low noise, and vitality, making it a recreational place for citizens, especially the youth. According to previous studies, perceived green space and the interaction with it is associated with mental health and lower symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although the presence of urban and blue-green spaces in Isfahan has a long history, the UGSs have been out of reach, causing a significant impact on youth mental health due to the spread of COVID-19 and the forcing of the Iranian government to severe and long-term lockdown. This study investigates the relationship between the long-term isolation of youth and being away from UGSs on their mental health in Isfahan city.

Methods

In September 2022, the youth (n = 273) in 12 neighborhoods with similar socio-economic status were asked to answer the online questionnaire. To investigate the correlation between perceived UGS and the mental health of the youth, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is done.

Results

The results show that the perceived UGSs negatively relate to the youth's fear of the reoccurrence of COVID-19 infection, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, the model shows that perceived UGS has an inverse correlation with anxiety (β = -0.24, p = 0.00), and no meaningful correlation exists with depression.

Discussion

These results point to a practical solution for designing UDGs in residential areas for youth according to their benefits for mental health during the epidemic era.

Altered place engagement since COVID-19: A multi-method study of community participation and health among older americans

Little is known about longer-term changes to community participation since the COVID-19 pandemic onset and potential implications for health and wellbeing in later life. This multi-method investigation analyzes national data from the COVID-19 Coping Study. Statistical analyses of survey data (n = 1,630; mean age 67.9 years; data collected April/May 2022) identified that adults residing in the US still tended to stay inside their homes more often since the pandemic onset. Overall, participants decreased their engagement with amenities such as eateries, gyms, and arts and cultural sites. Reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 57; mean age 70.7 years; data collected May-July 2021) identified altered community participation with perceived long-term impacts on physical, mental, and social health and wellbeing. The results provide novel insights about the critical nature of 'third places' to support later life, and policy implications to strengthen community environments. Investment in outdoor, well-ventilated, and distanced third places may support wellbeing.

Neighborhood Built Environments and Health in Later Life: A Literature Review

Objectives: This literature review aims to assess the current state of the field linking neighborhood environments to later-life health and wellbeing. Methods: We used electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, Google Scholar, and ProQuest) to search for studies published between 2010 and 2022 examining associations between neighborhood built environmental variables and later-life physical, cognitive, mental, and social health outcomes. Results: Among 168 studies reviewed, the majority were quantitative (n = 144) and cross-sectional (n = 122). Neighborhood environmental variables significantly associated with later-life health outcomes included population density/rurality, walkability/street connectivity, access to services and amenities, neighborhood quality and disorder, and parks/green/blue/open space. Neighborhoods operated through behavioral and biological pathways including hazardous exposures, affective states (e.g., stress and restoration), and lifestyle (e.g., exercise, socialization, and diet). Discussion: Neighborhoods and healthy aging research is a burgeoning interdisciplinary and international area of scholarship. Findings can inform upstream community interventions and strengthen clinical care.

"I guess you can interpret it in a number of ways like kind of a milder or the mildest form of dementia?": Multi-stakeholder perceptions of cognitive impairment

INTRODUCTION

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has a high prevalence and is a risk factor for dementia. Furthering understanding of MCI has been identified as a public health priority. This research aimed to explore views about the causes of cognitive impairment and identify associations between cognitive impairment, dementia, and normative ageing.

METHOD

Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 participants with different stakeholder perspectives on the area of MCI in England, and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Our analysis focuses on two main themes: 1) causes of cognitive impairment, and 2) ageing, dementia, and dying. Most participants viewed cognitive impairment as a transitional state between normative ageing and dementia. Participants expressed their fear of cognitive impairment and dementia, and made clear links between cognitive impairment and dying. Participants also showed an awareness of the links between lifestyle factors and cognitive health. However, linkage between lifestyle and cognition was discussed only when explicitly asked, suggesting that this was not especially salient for participants when considering the causes and risk factors for cognitive impairment.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study highlight key areas for future public health initiatives, such as a focus on the multitude of benefits offered by adopting a healthy diet and physical exercise in reducing risk of cognitive impairment.

"And if my goal is never to leave Casey House?": The significance of place attachment for patients at a specialty HIV hospital in Toronto, Canada

The current healthcare context prioritizes shorter hospital stays and fewer readmissions. However, these measures may not fully capture care experiences for people living with HIV, especially those experiencing medical, psychosocial, and economic complexity. As part of a larger study, we conducted seven focus groups with people living with HIV (n = 52), who were current/former patients at a Toronto-based specialty hospital, examining their desires/needs for hospital programs. Using a novel place attachment lens, we conducted a thematic analysis focusing on the emotional bond between person (patient) and place (hospital). Our findings show that participants wanted an ongoing connection to hospital to fulfill their need(s) for control, security, restoration and belonging. Indeed, continual attachment to hospital may be beneficial for patients with complex care needs. Our research has implications for care engagement and retention frameworks.

COVID-19 infection and decline in outdoor activities associated with depression in older adults: A multicenter study in Vietnam

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a serious global communicable disease burden. Although COVID-19 and its policy responses have significantly influenced older adults, the impact of COVID-19 on depression in the older population is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate whether a history of COVID-19 infection and a decline in outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with depression among older adults in Vietnam.

METHODS

This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,004 outpatients (aged ≥60 years; mean age 70.8 ± 7.3 years; men, 33.0%) visiting three hospitals for a comprehensive geriatric assessment between November 2021 and July 2022. Depression over the past week was evaluated using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. History of COVID-19 infection and decline in outdoor activities were included as binary variables. We adjusted these two factors with sociodemographic and geriatric variables and comorbidities using a logistic regression analysis in separate models.

RESULTS

A total of 156 participants (15.5%) experienced depression. The proportion of mild, moderate, and severe depressive symptoms was 14.1%, 44.9%, and 41.0%, respectively. In the multivariate model, decline in outdoor activities (odds ratio [OR] 17.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.15-32.2, p <0.001) and history of COVID-19 infection (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.28-3.84, p = 0.004) were associated with depression. Additionally, we found that age ≥ 75 years, female sex, being underweight, limitations in functional status, poor sleep quality, and stroke were associated with depression. Of the associated factors, decline in outdoor activities had a moderate strength of association with depression (r = 0.419), while each of the remaining factors had a weak strength of association.

CONCLUSIONS

COVID-19 had a direct and indirect impact on depression in older adults, reflecting an association between both a history of COVID-19 infection and a decline in outdoor activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and depression in the older population.

Natural environments, psychosocial health, and health behaviors in a crisis - A scoping review of the literature in the COVID-19 context

The COVID-19 outbreak led to major restrictions globally, affecting people's psychosocial health and their health behaviors. Thus, the purpose of this scoping review was to summarize the available research regarding nature and health in the COVID-19 context. Keywords relating to natural environments and COVID-19 were combined to conduct a systematic online search in six major databases. Eligibility criteria were a) published since 2020 with data collected in the COVID-19 context b) peer-reviewed, c) original empirical data collected on human participants, d) investigated the association between natural environments and psychosocial health or health behaviors, and e) English, German, or Scandinavian languages. Out of 9126 articles being screened, we identified 188 relevant articles, representing 187 distinct studies. Most research focused on adults in the general population and was predominantly conducted in the USA, Europe, and China. Overall, the findings indicate that nature may mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health and physical activity. Through a systematic thematic analysis of the extracted data, three primary themes were identified: 1) type of nature assessed, 2) psychosocial health and health behaviors investigated, and 3) heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship. Research gaps in the COVID-19 context were identified regarding I) nature characteristics that promote psychosocial health and health behaviors, II) investigations of digital and virtual nature, III) psychological constructs relating to mental health promotion, IV) health-promoting behaviors other than physical activity, V) underlying mechanisms regarding heterogeneity in the nature-health relationship based on human, nature, and geographic characteristics, and VI) research focusing on vulnerable groups. Overall, natural environments demonstrate considerable potential in buffering the impact of stressful events on a population level on mental health. However, future research is warranted to fill the mentioned research gaps and to examine the long-term effects of nature exposure during COVID-19.

Social and physical neighbourhood characteristics and 10-year incidence of depression and anxiety in older adults: Results from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam

OBJECTIVE

A growing literature suggests that neighbourhood characteristics are associated with mental health outcomes, but the evidence in older adults is inconsistent. We investigated the association of neighbourhood characteristics, pertaining to demographic, socio-economic, social and physical environment domains, with the subsequent 10-year incidence of depression and anxiety, in Dutch older adults.

METHODS

In the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed four times between 2005/2006 and 2015/2016, using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (n = 1365) and the Anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (n = 1420). Neighbourhood-level data on urban density, percent population over 65 years of age, percent immigrants, average house price, average income, percent low-income earners, social security beneficiaries, social cohesion, safety, proximity to retail facilities, housing quality, percent green space, percent water coverage, air pollution (particulate matter (PM2.5)), and traffic noise, were obtained for study baseline years 2005/2006. Cox proportional hazard regression models, clustered within neighbourhood, were used to estimate the association between each neighbourhood-level characteristic and the incidence of depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

The incidence of depression and anxiety was 19.9 and 13.2 per 1000 person-years, respectively. Neighbourhood characteristics were not associated with the incidence of depression. However, various neighbourhood characteristics were associated with an increased incidence of anxiety, including: higher urban density level, higher percent immigrants, greater proximity to retail facilities, lower housing quality score, lower safety score, higher PM2.5 levels and less green space.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that several neighbourhood characteristics are associated with anxiety but not with depression incidence in older age. Several of these characteristics have the potential to be modifiable and thus could serve as a target for interventions at the neighbourhood-level in improving anxiety, provided that future studies replicate our findings and provide further evidence for a causal effect.

Therapeutic landscapes, networks, and health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods study among female domestic workers

The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on access to and use of therapeutic landscapes and networks, especially for people who are vulnerable due to economic, social, and work-related disadvantage. For one such vulnerable population, Indonesian female domestic workers (FDWs) in Hong Kong, this study employed a mixed methods approach to examine the associations between perceptions of therapeutic landscapes (TLs), therapeutic networks (TNs), subjective wellbeing, and self-rated health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from an online survey were analyzed via structural equation modeling (SEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to investigate the direct and indirect associations between TLs, TNs, and health and wellbeing. The findings demonstrate little or no association among FDWs' perceptions of TLs and TNs and FDWs' self-rated health and subjective wellbeing, except for a negative total association between TL and subjective wellbeing. Using insights gleaned from thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with FDWs, we suggest that these unexpected findings are mainly due to restricted access to public places, reduced social gatherings, and the fact that employers rarely granted days off during the lockdown. Although processes at the employer and municipal scales limited FDWs' access to therapeutic places, increased use of digital communications and spaces provided an important source of social and emotional support during the pandemic.

The road to postpandemic recovery in the USA: a repeated cross-sectional survey of multidimensional well-being over two years

OBJECTIVES

Examine differences in multidimensional well-being from before (January 2020) to three timepoints during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020, January 2021, January 2022).

STUDY DESIGN

Repeated cross-sectional design.

METHODS

Nationally representative cross-sectional cohorts of US adults completed the Secure Flourish Index before (January 2020 cohort: N = 1010) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020 cohort: N = 3020; January 2021 cohort: N = 3366; January 2022 cohort: N = 2598). We estimated differences in indicators, domains, and composite well-being between the January 2020 cohort and each of the subsequent cohorts. We also explored whether changes in well-being between January 2020 and January 2022 varied based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity.

RESULTS

Initial declines in well-being observed by June 2020 were largely followed by a return to prepandemic levels in January 2022, with some exceptions. Notably, general declines in mental health have persisted through to January 2022. On the other hand, there was evidence of general improvements in character & virtue that exceeded prepandemic levels in January 2022. Young adults and racial/ethnic minorities reported lower financial & material stability in January 2022 compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS

Although there are promising signs that the well-being of US adults has mostly recovered to prepandemic levels, a coordinated response is urgently needed to support population mental health and the financial security of vulnerable groups. As society continues the journey toward postpandemic recovery, continued tracking of multidimensional well-being will be important for making informed decisions about public health priorities.

Covid-19 and outdoor recreation - Lessons learned? Introduction to the special issue on "Outdoor recreation and Covid-19: Its effects on people, parks and landscapes"

The special issue presents international experiences with COVID-19 in the years 2020 and 2021 on outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism. To set the scene, a bibliometric and qualitative analysis illustrates and clusters recent publications on COVID-19. Against this background contributions from Japan, China, Brazil, Indonesia, Austria, Croatia, the United States, New Zealand, Taiwan, Australia, Sweden, Poland and Ireland draw a truly international picture of the pandemic crisis, the effects, coping behavior and related strategies. The papers contribute to the COVID-19 related research by documenting the shock in the field of outdoor recreation and tourism, by understanding the immediate consequences on behavior and the required managerial consequences and finally, by analyzing the possible follow up effects including long term effects, discussing resilient solutions and proposing new strategies. In the discussion section we try to answer the questions whether the high visitation rate in recreation facilities, forests, parks and protected areas will remain, and whether adapted visitor management concepts will be required. In addition, we discuss possible implications for urban planning and management. Finally, based on a changing connectedness to nature also possible positive effects by the pandemic are discussed which may lead to a new target group in outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism.

Management implications

The overview on the Covid-19 related literature suggests improvements in planning and management, such as-new concepts for destination and visitor management, considering an ongoing risk-management,-proactive urban planning and management considering short-term effects in the existing built environment as well as a long-term perspective with strategically planned green infrastructure, including not only the supply of green infrastructure, but also its accessibility, its amenities, and aspects of environmental justice,-the consideration of new target groups in tourism and outdoor recreation.

A counterfactual analysis of opioid-involved deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic using a spatiotemporal random forest modeling approach

The global pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has been linked to adversely impacting individuals with opioid use disorder in the United States. This study focuses on analyzing opioid-involved mortality in the context of COVID-19 in the U.S. from a geospatial perspective. We investigated spatiotemporal patterns of opioid-involved deaths during 2020 and compared the spatiotemporal pattern of these deaths with patterns for the previous three years (2017-2019) to understand changes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A counterfactual analysis framework together with a space-time random forest (STRF) model were used to estimate the increase in opioid-involved deaths related to the pandemic. To gain further insight into the relationship between opioid deaths and COVID-19-related factors, we built a space-time random forest model for the City of Chicago, that experienced a steep increase in opioid-related deaths during 2020. High ranking indicators identified by the model such as the number of positive COVID-19 cases adjusted by population and the change in stay-at-home dwell time during the pandemic were used to generate a vulnerability index for opioid overdoses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chicago.

Exploring Factors Affecting Urban Park Use from a Geospatial Perspective: A Big Data Study in Fuzhou, China

Promoting research on urban park use is important for developing the ecological and environmental health benefits of parks. This study proposes uniquely integrated methods combined with big data to measure urban park use. It combines comprehensive geographic detectors and multiscale geographically weighted regression from a geospatial perspective to quantify the individual and interactive effects of the parks' characteristics, accessibility, and surrounding environment features on weekday and weekend park use. The study also explores the degree of influence of spatial changes. The results indicate that the park-surrounding facilities and services factor contributed most to use, while its interaction effect with park service capacity had the greatest impact on park use. The interaction effects showed binary or nonlinear enhancement. This suggests that park use should be promoted within multiple dimensions. Many influencing factors had significant changes in the geographic space, suggesting that city-level park zoning construction should be adopted. Finally, park use was found to be affected by users' subjective preference on weekends and convenience factors on weekdays. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the influencing mechanisms of urban park use, which can help urban planners and policymakers formulate more specific policies to successfully manage and plan urban parks.

The Association of Perceived Neighbourhood Environment and Subjective Wellbeing in Migrant Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Canonical Correlation Analysis

Existing studies often focus on the impact of the neighbourhood environment on the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of the residents. Very few studies explore the impacts of the neighbourhood environment on migrant older adults. This study was conducted to investigate the correlations between perceived neighbourhood environment (PNE) and SWB among migrant older adults. A cross-sectional design was adopted. Data were collected from 470 migrant older adults in Dongguan, China. General characteristics, levels of SWB, and PNE were collected via a self-reported questionnaire. Canonical correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between PNE and SWB. These variables accounted for 44.1% and 53.0% of the variance, respectively. Neighbourhood relations, neighbourhood trust, and similar values in social cohesion made the most important contributions correlated with positive emotion and positive experience. A link between SWB and walkable neighbourhoods characterized by opportunities and facilities for physical activities with other people walking or exercising in their community, is positively associated with positive emotions. Our findings suggest that migrant older adults have a good walkable environment and social cohesion in neighbourhoods positively correlated with their subjective wellbeing. Therefore, the government should provide a more robust activity space for neighbourhoods and build an inclusive community for older adults.

Visiting Urban Green Space and Orientation to Nature Is Associated with Better Wellbeing during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely challenged mental health and wellbeing. However, research has consistently reinforced the value of spending time in green space for better health and wellbeing outcomes. Factors such as an individual's nature orientation, used to describe one's affinity to nature, may influence an individual's green space visitation behaviour, and thus influence the wellbeing benefits gained. An online survey in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia (n = 2084), deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic (April 2021), explores if nature experiences and nature orientation are positively associated with personal wellbeing and if increased amounts of nature experiences are associated with improvement in wellbeing in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that both yard and public green space visitation, as well as nature orientation scores, were correlated with high personal wellbeing scores, and individuals who spent more time in green space compared to the previous year also experienced a positive change in their health and wellbeing. Consistently, people with stronger nature orientations are also more likely to experience positive change. We also found that age was positively correlated to a perceived improvement in wellbeing over the year, and income was negatively correlated with a decreased change in wellbeing over the year, supporting other COVID-19 research that has shown that the effects of COVID-19 lifestyle changes were structurally unequal, with financially more established individuals experiencing better wellbeing. Such results highlight that spending time in nature and having high nature orientation are important for gaining those important health and wellbeing benefits and may provide a buffer for wellbeing during stressful periods of life that go beyond sociodemographic factors.

Older adults' community participation, physical activity, and social interactions during and following COVID-19 restrictions in Australia: a mixed methods approach

BACKGROUND

With the increasing age of the global population, key components of healthy ageing including community, physical, and social participation continue to gain traction. However, management of the COVID-19 pandemic aimed to protect older adults and reduce the spread of the virus, this restricted community participation and reduced the opportunities for social interaction.

METHODS

This mixed methods study investigates community dwelling older adults' community participation; physical activity and social interaction prior to, during, and following the COVID-19 lockdown in Adelaide, Australia. Twenty-six community dwelling older adults were monitored over three time-points between November 2018 and October 2020, with Global Positioning Systems, accelerometry and self-reported diaries. In addition, nineteen participants completed semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS

Community participation varied across the three time points, with significant reduction in the number of trips taken out-of-home (p = 0.021), social interactions (p = 0.001) and sleep quality (p = 0.008) during restrictions. Five themes were identified to explain personal experiences of community participation during restrictions: (1) Reframing of meaning, (2) Redefining to maintain activities, (3) Revision of risk, (4) Reflection and renewal and (5) Future planning.

CONCLUSION

During COVID-19 the physical and social activities of community dwelling older adults changed. Services that support older adults to adapt their activities   , considering their capacities and preferences, to facilitate community participation are required.

Socio-ecological determinants of older people's mental health and well-being during COVID-19: A qualitative analysis within the Irish context

Background

Evidence indicates that older people with biological and social vulnerabilities are at high risk of short- and long-term consequences related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, studies have also highlighted that the crisis may present opportunities for personal growth if older individuals are met with appropriate resources and support.

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of older people regarding how individual, social, and environmental factors have supported or hindered their well-being and health during COVID-19.

Methods

We analyzed data collected between April-May and October-November 2021 from the Well-being, Interventions and Support during Epidemics (WISE) study, a qualitative investigation of community-dwellers based in Ireland and aged 65 years or over. Participants (n = 57) completed written submissions, narrative interviews and/or go-along interviews detailing their experiences during the pandemic. Framework analysis was carried out in NVivo 12 to identify determinants, linkages, and explanations within Bronfenbrenner's socio-ecological model.

Results

The mean age of participants was 74.9 years, 53% were female, 45% lived alone, and 86% lived in areas with high urban influence. Our findings highlight the heterogeneous effect of COVID-19 across diverse older individuals who held distinct concerns, capabilities, and roles in society before and during the pandemic. Multi-scalar contextual characteristics such as individual's living arrangements, neighborhood social and built environments, as well as social expectations about aging and help seeking, had an influential role in participants' well-being and available supports. We identified mixed views regarding public health restrictions, but a consensus emerged questioning the suitability of one-size-fits-all approaches based on chronological age.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that some negative pandemic consequences could have been avoided by increasing collaboration with older people and with the provision of clearer communications. The interdependencies identified between individual characteristics and socio-ecological factors that influenced participants' availability of supports and development of adaptive strategies represent areas of opportunity for the development of age-friendly interventions during and beyond public health crises.

Experience of nature and times of silence as a resource to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and their effects on psychological wellbeing-Findings from a continuous cross-sectional survey in Germany

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic with its lockdowns affected social relations and mental health conditions of people worldwide. We aimed to analyze the relevance of nature and times of silence as resources to cope with the pandemic. Of interest were how experiences of nature and times of silence are related to the perception of wondering awe and gratitude and psychological wellbeing and how these have changed during the different phases of the pandemic. Finally, we asked whether Nature/Silence would mediate the link between Awe/Gratitude and wellbeing.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey with standardized questionnaires (i.e., PCQ, GrAw-7, BMLSS-10, WHO-5) enrolling participants during the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. The total sample of 5,155 participants from Germany consisted of 65% women and 34% men, with a mean age of 45.0 ± 14.0 years.

Results

Directly after the first lockdown, Nature/Silence and Awe/Gratitude scores were high and decreased along with wellbeing with the onset of the second lockdown in winter 2020, while perceived burden constantly increased. Nature/Silence was rated lowest by people with reduced wellbeing (eta2 = 0.058) and feeling lonely or socially isolated (eta2 = 0.042). Predictor analyses revealed that wellbeing as a dependent variable was predicted best by corona-related perception of burden, Awe/Gratitude, reflection of life, and Nature/Silence and further by perceived changes in terms of relationships and spirituality (R2 = 0.55). In mediation analyses, Awe/Gratitude proved to be a significant predictor for Nature/Silence (β = 0.55, p< 0.0001) and wellbeing (β = 0.05, p < 0.0001). The mediation analysis explained 37% of the variability in the data. The direct influence of Awe/Gratitude on wellbeing was estimated as β = 0.09 (p < 0.0001), and the mediation effect of Nature/Silence on the link between Awe/Gratitude and wellbeing was significant, too (β = 0.03, p < 0.0001), explaining 25% of the total effect.

Conclusion

Nature/Silence and Awe/Gratitude were used as relevant resources during the pandemic, although they cannot fully buffer the negative effects of the social restrictions that resulted in decreases in wellbeing and increases in perceived burden. Perception of nature as a sensitizer of positive experiences particularly during difficult phases of life could be trained to stabilize wellbeing and thus to contribute to public health.

A scoping review protocol of age-friendly practices during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Actions focused on age-friendly environments contribute to promote and maintain older people’s functional ability and may enable them to contribute to their communities and enjoy life. As such, age-friendly practices require collaboration between diverse stakeholders across multiple sectors responsible for natural, built, and social environments, which can be particularly relevant during public health emergencies when socio-ecological vulnerabilities become more salient and may disproportionally affect older people. This paper presents a protocol for a scoping review aiming to investigate the breadth of evidence concerning the development, implementation, and evaluation of age-friendly practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. The protocol sets out the objectives, methods, and dissemination plans for the review. Methods: The scoping review will be conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review methodology. We will search databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychNet) and grey literature sources. Publications relating to practices across the 8 domains of the World Health Organization’s age-friendly cities and communities’ framework will be included. A tabular data extraction tool will be used to facilitate a narrative synthesis of results. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required as the methods proposed for this scoping review consist of collecting publicly available data. Findings will be reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and submitted to a journal for academic dissemination. Lay dissemination plans include an infographic and a blog-style article presenting our core results. Conclusion: The publication of this protocol allows for transparency in the systematic process of a scoping review focused on age-friendly practices during COVID-19. Findings emerging from the scoping review will provide insights into the evidence available regarding age-friendly activities during COVID-19 and may inform future age-friendly practices during public health emergencies and beyond.