Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
SHR Neuro Krebs Kardio Lipid Stoffw Microb
Mayerl, H; Stolz, E; Freidl, W.
Trajectories of loneliness, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Austria.
Public Health. 2022; 212:10-13
Doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.08.004
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- Führende Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Freidl Wolfgang
- Mayerl Hannes
- Co-Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz
- Stolz Erwin
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- Abstract:
- 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.
- Find related publications in this database (using NLM MeSH Indexing)
- Humans - administration & dosage
- Aged - administration & dosage
- COVID-19 - epidemiology
- Loneliness - psychology
- Pandemics - administration & dosage
- Austria - epidemiology
- Depression - psychology
- Anxiety - epidemiology
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- COVID-19
- Loneliness
- Depressive symptoms
- Anxiety symptoms
- Latent class
- Growth analysis