Trajectories of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria.

OBJECTIVE: There is considerable heterogeneity within populations regarding the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health. This study aimed at identifying latent groups of individuals within the older Austrian population that differ in their mental health trajectories across three phases of the pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: Data were gathered from a longitudinal survey study among a sample of older adults in Austria. The survey was carried out in May 2020 (N1 = 556), March 2021 (N2 = 462), and December 2021 (N3 = 370) via either computer-assisted web or telephone interviewing. METHODS: Latent class growth analysis was conducted to explore different homogenous groups in terms of non-linear trajectories of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms as well as potential correlates thereof. RESULTS: We identified four latent classes. The vast majority of individuals belong to two classes that are either resilient (71%) or that have recovered relatively quickly from an initial COVID-19 shock (10.2%). Deterioration in mental health after the first phase of the pandemic (13.4%) or a generally high mental health burden (5.4%) characterizes the other two classes. CONCLUSIONS: About 19% of individuals showed increasing or elevated levels in loneliness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms across the COVID-19 pandemic. The feeling of being socially supported and in control over one's own life emerged as potentially protective factors.

Longitudinal effects of COVID-19-related loneliness on symptoms of mental distress among older adults in Austria.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19-related social restrictions resulted in more loneliness, but whether this had further effects on mental health remains unclear. This study aimed at examining the longitudinal effects of COVID-19-related loneliness on mental health among older adults (aged ≥60 years) in Austria. STUDY DESIGN: Survey data were gathered from a longitudinal observational study among a random sample of older Austrian adults. The first survey wave was conducted in May 2020 (N1 = 557), and the second wave was conducted in March 2021 (N2 = 463). METHODS: Data collection was based on either computer-assisted web or telephone interviewing. For statistical analysis, we used a cross-lagged panel analysis. RESULTS: The results showed the perceived COVID-19-related social restrictions to predict loneliness, which in turn predicted depressive and anxiety symptoms 10 months later. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-related loneliness emerged as a risk factor for subsequent mental distress among older adults in Austria.