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Schafer MH. Social contact during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of long-term connectedness and cumulative inequality in later life. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2024; 120:103007. [PMID: 38763541 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2024.103007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Though the COVID-19 crisis put many older adults at sudden risk of social isolation, the pandemic was far from the "great equalizer" some pundits and politicians initially claimed it would be. Drawing from Cumulative Inequality Theory, I consider how long-run patterns of social dis/connectedness contextualize key disparities in social contact that manifested during the pandemic. I incorporate data from four rounds of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (2005-2021), constructing multiple operationalizations of connectedness accumulation across pre-COVID years and examining several types of social contact during the pandemic, both in-person and remote. Results from ordered logistic regression show that those most durably connected were especially likely to incorporate digital tools for maintaining contact with family and friends. On the other hand, people experiencing more bouts of social disconnection were least likely to see friends during the pandemic, and were yet relatively tolerant of that level of engagement. Even while many older people's level of social dis/connectedness fluctuates over the course of 15 years, it was long-run accumulation patterns-not conditions observed most recently-that best explain their experience of social contact during the pandemic. Findings point to the role of crises in perpetuating and exacerbating key axes of inequality, and suggest points of attention and intervention in COVID's aftermath.
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Luk JW, Leiter N, Stangl BL, Gunawan T, Schwandt ML, Goldman D, Diazgranados N, Ramchandani VA. Associations of history of alcohol use disorder with loneliness, social support, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115826. [PMID: 38479194 PMCID: PMC11229409 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the effects of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and treatment history on changes in loneliness, social support, and mental health symptoms from before to during the pandemic, and tested loneliness and social support as mediators of the AUD-mental health associations. Participants (n = 427) enrolled in the NIAAA COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol Study were categorized into three groups: healthy control (62.3%), nontreatment AUD (14.1%), and treatment AUD (23.7%). Multilevel generalized linear models were conducted to examine changes in loneliness, social support, and mental health symptoms by group. Path analyses tested the mediating roles of loneliness and social support. Loneliness increased during the pandemic, especially in the nontreatment AUD group. Social support decreased in the healthy control and AUD treatment group. Anxiety and depressive symptoms increased in the nontreatment AUD group. Individuals with a history of AUD regardless of treatment history reported greater loneliness, which was linked to higher anxiety and depressive symptoms. Loneliness, but not social support, mediated the AUD-mental health associations. Psychosocial interventions aimed at increasing positive social engagement among individuals with AUD may help alleviate feelings of loneliness and mitigate mental health symptoms. Study findings can also help improve preparedness for future public health crises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W Luk
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States.
| | - Noa Leiter
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Bethany L Stangl
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Tommy Gunawan
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States; Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Melanie L Schwandt
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - David Goldman
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Nancy Diazgranados
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vijay A Ramchandani
- Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, MD, United States
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Yuan B. How the interplay of late retirement, health care, economic insecurity, and electronic social contact affects the mental health amongst older workers? Stress Health 2024; 40:e3309. [PMID: 37621258 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The delayed retirement initiative has become increasingly emphasised to cope with the population ageing. Based on the social-ecological model, this study explores the interplay of late retirement, health care, economic insecurity, and electronic social contact on mental health of older workers. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (wave 8), results show that the late retirement, health care quality, and electronic social contact are all negatively associated with the mental health problems among older workers. Besides, the influence of health care quality and electronic social contact on mental health problems are buffered by the economic insecurity respectively. It is concluded that more targeted policy response is in need to achieve better health outcomes among older workers.
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Peng C, Yuan Y, Burr JA, Mutchler JE, Song Q, Lapane KL. Social Contact, Social Participation, and Emotional Well-Being Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Giving and Receiving Social Support. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2024; 98:373-394. [PMID: 37735920 DOI: 10.1177/00914150231202396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
This study examined whether social contact, social participation, and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with depression and anxiety. Data were taken from the 2020 COVID-19 Supplement of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (N = 2,778). Depression and anxiety were regressed on social contact frequency, social participation, and social support. Path analyses were also performed. The results showed that in-person contact was related to lower levels of depression, while in-person contact and attending religious services were related to lower levels of anxiety. Giving and receiving support were associated with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Giving support mediated the link between virtual contact, volunteering, and depression, while receiving support mediated the link between virtual contact and depression. Receiving and giving support mediated the association between virtual social contact, volunteering, and anxiety. During the pandemic, being socially connected provided some benefits in terms of emotional well-being, but in some cases being socially connected did not provide salubrious effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changmin Peng
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yiyang Yuan
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Burr
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jan E Mutchler
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Qian Song
- Department of Gerontology, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Public and Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kate L Lapane
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Li LW, Hu RX, Luo MS, McLaughlin SJ. Prepandemic Social Integration: Protection or Risk for Older Adults in the Time of COVID-19? J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2023; 78:330-340. [PMID: 36371802 PMCID: PMC9938925 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbac177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the association between prepandemic social integration and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and test whether the association is mediated by social support received and social events missed during the pandemic. We also explored age, race, gender, and socioeconomic differences in the association. METHODS We adopted a prospective design. Path analysis was conducted using data from the COVID-19 supplement (2020) and the 2019 wave of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The sample represents Medicare beneficiaries aged 70 years and older (N = 2,694). Social integration was measured using a six-item index. A standardized scale assessed PTSD symptoms. Both social support received and social events missed were single-item measures. The analysis controlled for sociodemographic characteristics, prepandemic physical and mental health, and coronavirus exposure during the pandemic. RESULTS Prepandemic social integration was positively associated with PTSD symptoms during the pandemic. The association was primarily mediated by social events missed-high levels of prepandemic social integration were associated with missing more social events during the pandemic resulting in more PTSD symptoms. Social support received was also a mediator-social integration was positively associated with social support received during the pandemic, with more received support associated with greater PTSD symptoms. Prepandemic social integration had no significant direct effect on PTSD symptoms. The direct, indirect, and total effects of social integration on PTSD symptoms did not significantly differ by age, race, gender, education, or poverty status. DISCUSSION Social integration may carry mental health risks in times of infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia W Li
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rita Xiaochen Hu
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Meng Sha Luo
- Department of Sociology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zheijiang, China
| | - Sara J McLaughlin
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA
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Kim K, Lim HJ, Moon E, Moon SI. Influence of Optimism, Social Support, and Spirituality on COVID-19 Stress in Christian Church Community. Psychiatry Investig 2023; 20:130-136. [PMID: 36891597 PMCID: PMC9996147 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2022.0243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Optimism, social support, and spirituality can be important factors related to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) stress. However, studies investigating the influence and interplay of optimism, social support, and spirituality on COVID-19 simultaneously are still few. This study is aimed to explore the influence of optimism, social support, and spirituality on COVID-19 stress in the Christian church community. METHODS A total 350 participants were included in this study. This study was cross-sectionally conducted by using an online survey on optimism, social support, spirituality, and COVID-19 stress that were measured by the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS), Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS), and COVID-19 Stress Scale for Korean People (CSSK). The prediction models for COVID-19 stress were analyzed by using univariate and multiple linear regression. RESULTS Based on the results of univariate linear regression, subjective feelings on income (p<0.001) and health status (p<0.001), LOTR (p<0.001), MSPSS (p=0.025), and SWBS (p<0.001) scores were significantly associated with COVID-19 stress. The multiple linear regression model with subjective feelings on income and health status and SWSB score was significant (p<0.001) and explained 17.7% of the variance (R2=0.177). CONCLUSION This study showed that subjective feeling on low income, those who had poor health status, lower optimism, lower perceived social support, and lower spirituality were significantly affected with COVID-19 stress. Especially, the model with subjective feelings on income and health status, and spirituality showed highly significant effects, despite the interaction with associated factors. To cope with unpredictable stressful situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, integrated interventions on psycho-socio-spiritual aspect are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoungmi Kim
- Department of Counselling Psychology, TongMyong University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Lim
- Department of Psychology, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunsoo Moon
- Department of Psychiatry and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Il Moon
- Department of Christian Family Counseling, United Graduate School of Theology, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.,Sooyoungro Counseling Center, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Zhou S, Ding X, Leung JTY. Healthy Aging at Family Mealtimes: Associations of Clean Cooking, Protein Intake, and Dining Together with Mental Health of Chinese Older Adults amid COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1672. [PMID: 36767039 PMCID: PMC9914416 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims to examine whether multiple dietary factors affect the mental health of older adults amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It proposes an integrative dietary framework that highlights environmental, nutritional, and social aspects of diet for healthy aging. Based on a sample of 7858 Chinese older adults, the associations between diet and depressive symptoms, along with the rural-urban divide, were examined using zero-inflated negative binomial regression. Overall, protein intake (incidence-rate ratio [IRR] = 0.89, p < 0.001), frequency of family dining together (IRR = 0.98, p < 0.001), and using tap water for cooking (IRR = 0.92, p < 0.01) were associated with lower incidence rates of depressive symptoms among older adults. Among rural older adults, frequency of family dining together (IRR = 0.97, p < 0.001) and tap water use (IRR = 0.89, p < 0.001) were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. However, urban residents who had a higher frequency of family dining together (IRR = 0.98, p < 0.05) and protein intake (IRR = 0.81, p < 0.001) exhibited fewer depressive symptoms. The findings revealed multifaceted dietary pathways towards healthy aging, which call for policies and interventions that improve diet quality for community-dwelling older adults.
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Pearson GS. Kinship Influences on Adult Mental Health During a Pandemic. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc 2022; 28:431-432. [PMID: 36271661 DOI: 10.1177/10783903221130033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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