ABSTRACT
Purpose: Older incarcerated persons are an especially vulnerable segment of the prison population, with high rates of multimorbidity. This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older incarcerated persons' mental and physical health. Design/methodology/approach: Participants were 157 currently-incarcerated persons age >=50 years who were enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal study before the pandemic. Anxiety symptoms (seven-item generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire), depressive symptoms (eight-item patient health questionnaire) and self-rated health (SRH) were assessed during in-person interviews completed before the pandemic and via mailed surveys during the pandemic (August-September 2020). A mediation model evaluated the relationship among anxiety, depression and SRH. Findings: Participants were 96% male, racially diverse (41% White, 41% Black, 18% Hispanic/Other), with average age 56.0(+/-5.8) years. From before to during the pandemic, anxiety symptoms increased (worsened) (from 6.4 +/- 5.7 to 7.8 +/- 6.6;p < 0.001), depressive symptoms increased (worsened) (from 5.5 +/- 6.0 to 8.1 +/- 6.5;p < 0.001) and SRH decreased (worsened) (from 3.0 +/- 0.2 to 2.6 +/- 0.2;p < 0.001). The total effect of worsening anxiety symptoms on worsening SRH (-0.043;p < 0.001) occurs entirely because of worsening depressive symptoms, i.e. the direct effect was statistically non-significant -0.030 (p = 0.068). Practical implications: Older incarcerated persons experienced worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic which was associated with worsening SRH. These findings have implications for health-care costs and services needed to care for this vulnerable group. Originality/value: This is the first study to evaluate change in older incarcerated persons' mental health from before the COVID-19 pandemic to during the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Older incarcerated persons are an especially vulnerable segment of the prison population, with high rates of multimorbidity. This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older incarcerated persons' mental and physical health. Design/methodology/approach: Participants were 157 currently-incarcerated persons age >=50 years who were enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal study before the pandemic. Anxiety symptoms (seven-item generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire), depressive symptoms (eight-item patient health questionnaire) and self-rated health (SRH) were assessed during in-person interviews completed before the pandemic and via mailed surveys during the pandemic (August-September 2020). A mediation model evaluated the relationship among anxiety, depression and SRH. Findings: Participants were 96% male, racially diverse (41% White, 41% Black, 18% Hispanic/Other), with average age 56.0(+/-5.8) years. From before to during the pandemic, anxiety symptoms increased (worsened) (from 6.4 +/- 5.7 to 7.8 +/- 6.6;p < 0.001), depressive symptoms increased (worsened) (from 5.5 +/- 6.0 to 8.1 +/- 6.5;p < 0.001) and SRH decreased (worsened) (from 3.0 +/- 0.2 to 2.6 +/- 0.2;p < 0.001). The total effect of worsening anxiety symptoms on worsening SRH (-0.043;p < 0.001) occurs entirely because of worsening depressive symptoms, i.e. the direct effect was statistically non-significant -0.030 (p = 0.068). Practical implications: Older incarcerated persons experienced worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic which was associated with worsening SRH. These findings have implications for health-care costs and services needed to care for this vulnerable group. Originality/value: This is the first study to evaluate change in older incarcerated persons' mental health from before the COVID-19 pandemic to during the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Incarcerated persons age 50 and older comprise one of society’s most vulnerable groups given high rates of chronic illness, estrangement from family/friends, and suicide. Consequently, the mental health impact of COVID-19 on this population may be especially salient. Using data from the ongoing Aging Inmates’ Suicidal Ideation and Depression study (Aging INSIDE), we determined change in older incarcerated persons’ mental health (anxiety and depression symptoms) and change in self-rated health (SRH) from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic, and evaluated how these variables were related. Of the 202 still-incarcerated Aging INSIDE participants, 157 (77%) completed Check-In Surveys between August-September 2020. Participants were 96% male, racially diverse (41% White, 41% Black, 18% Hispanic/Other) and average age was 56.0(±5.8) years. From before to during the COVID-19 pandemic, average anxiety symptom scores, assessed by the GAD-7, increased (worsened) (from 6.4±5.7 to 7.8±6.6;p<0.001), average depressive symptoms scores, measured by the PHQ-8, increased (worsened) (from 5.5±6.0 to 8.1±6.5;p<0.001), and average SRH decreased (worsened) (from 3.0±0.2 to 2.6±0.2;p<0.001). Worsening anxiety led to worsening depressive symptoms (direct effect = 0.339;p<0.05). A mediation model controlling for age, race, chronic conditions, years until release, and change in social support score found a total effect of change in anxiety on SRH change of -0.04 (p<0.001), of which 34.2% flows indirectly through change in depression (p<0.001). Older incarcerated persons experienced worsening mental health and SRH during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research will determine if mental health and SRH improve following vaccination and return to “normal” procedures.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Older incarcerated persons are an especially vulnerable segment of the prison population, with high rates of multimorbidity. This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older incarcerated persons' mental and physical health. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Participants were 157 currently-incarcerated persons age ≥50 years who were enrolled in an ongoing longitudinal study before the pandemic. Anxiety symptoms (seven-item generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire), depressive symptoms (eight-item patient health questionnaire) and self-rated health (SRH) were assessed during in-person interviews completed before the pandemic and via mailed surveys during the pandemic (August-September 2020). A mediation model evaluated the relationship among anxiety, depression and SRH. FINDINGS: Participants were 96% male, racially diverse (41% White, 41% Black, 18% Hispanic/Other), with average age 56.0(±5.8) years. From before to during the pandemic, anxiety symptoms increased (worsened) (from 6.4 ± 5.7 to 7.8 ± 6.6; p < 0.001), depressive symptoms increased (worsened) (from 5.5 ± 6.0 to 8.1 ± 6.5; p < 0.001) and SRH decreased (worsened) (from 3.0 ± 0.2 to 2.6 ± 0.2; p < 0.001). The total effect of worsening anxiety symptoms on worsening SRH (-0.043; p < 0.001) occurs entirely because of worsening depressive symptoms, i.e. the direct effect was statistically non-significant -0.030 (p = 0.068). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Older incarcerated persons experienced worsening mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic which was associated with worsening SRH. These findings have implications for health-care costs and services needed to care for this vulnerable group. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This is the first study to evaluate change in older incarcerated persons' mental health from before the COVID-19 pandemic to during the pandemic.