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Mentally healthy living after pandemic social distancing: a study of older Canadians reveals helpful anxiety reduction strategies.
Low, Gail; Gutman, Gloria; Gao, Zhiwei; França, Alex Bacadini; von Humboldt, Sofia; Vitorino, Luciano Magalhães; Wilson, Donna M; Allana, Hunaina.
Afiliação
  • Low G; Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Gutman G; Department Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
  • Gao Z; Division of Community Health and Humanities, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
  • França AB; Laboratory of Human Development and Cognition, Federal University of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • von Humboldt S; William James Center for Research, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Vitorino LM; Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Itajubá, Itajubá, Brazil.
  • Wilson DM; Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • Allana H; Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Psychogeriatrics ; 24(3): 605-616, 2024 May.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38499385
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, older Canadians were the most at risk of severe physical harm, including death, and their return to post-COVID life was expected to be especially anxiety-provoking. A study was conducted to obtain nationally representative evidence of older Canadians' self-perceived anxiety levels and their strategies to manage or mitigate it as public health restrictions were lifting. MATERIALS AND

METHODS:

This study had a cross-sectional descriptive design. An e-survey was used to collect data from 1327 Canadians aged 60+ stratified by age, sex, and education to resemble the larger general population. Participants completed the Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS-10) and indicated which of the 16 Centre for Addictions and Mental Health's (2022) Coping with Stress and Anxiety strategies they were using to manage or mitigate their anxiety when social distancing was lifting. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used to explore the data.

RESULTS:

While, on average, older Canadians were mildly anxious, nearly one-quarter of responders rated their anxiety as severe. Age, sex, perceived health, were statistically significant correlates of anxiety. Six coping strategies were associated with significantly lower anxiety scores. Moreover, accepting some fear and anxiety as normal, challenging worries and anxious thoughts, and practising relaxation/meditation appeared to increase anxiety.

CONCLUSION:

Older Canadians used multiple strategies to manage or mitigate their anxiety, and seemingly, with more successful than detrimental tries. Practitioners have much to learn and understand about older people's mental health promotion efforts after social distancing, now and for future pandemics.
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Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Ansiedade / Adaptação Psicológica / Saúde Mental / COVID-19 / População Norte-Americana Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2024 Tipo de documento: Article

Texto completo: 1 Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Ansiedade / Adaptação Psicológica / Saúde Mental / COVID-19 / População Norte-Americana Idioma: En Ano de publicação: 2024 Tipo de documento: Article