Loneliness, ageism, and mental health: The buffering role of resilience in seniors

Introduction: Ageism and loneliness are two relevant public health phenomena because of their negative impact on the senior's mental health. With the increase in average life expectancy, these tend to co-occur, which may increase the psychological distress (PD) of seniors. Resilience has been shown to be an important protective factor of seniors mental health, although its potential buffering role of public health risk factors with cumulative impact on mental health, such as loneliness and ageism, needs to be more studied. Aim: To assess the potential mediator role of resilience between the effects of ageism and loneliness on PD in seniors. Methods: A sample of 349 Portuguese seniors aged 60 years and over was collected through an online survey and during the COVID-19 pandemic period. Seniors completed the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6), the Short-Form of UCLA Loneliness Scale (USL-6), the Ambivalent Ageism Scale (AAS) and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10). A mediation analysis model was developed with resilience as a mediating variable. Results: There were moderate to high levels of PD and moderate levels of ageism, loneliness and resilience. Resilience fully mediated the effect of ageism on PD and partially mediated the effect of loneliness on PD. Conclusions: Resilience was an important protective factor of mental health against the effects of ageism, and partially protected mental health from the effects of loneliness among seniors. It is suggested that resilience be considered as a factor to be integrated in future intervention programs for mental health. The practical applicability of this study is discussed. © 2022 The Authors

Negative emotions associated with self-growth among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic appeared globally (1), thus affecting the self-growth of the older population (2). Objective(s): The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the negative emotions felt during the pandemic, as well as their impact on self-growth of 226 older individuals of four nationalities: Mexican, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Method(s): Thus, a transnational qualitative survey was carried out. A content analysis was performed. Result(s): Seven negative emotions were reported, namely: fear, sadness, anger, grief, annoyance, loneliness and shame. These emotions were considerably associated with the following themes: (1) Sharing experiences;(2) Availability of the partner;(3) Spirituality and religion;(4) Be active;(5) Interest in new projects;(6) Civic participation;(7) Sexual activity. Older participants with Mexican and Italian nationality reported that sharing experiences as the most relevant topic, while for the Portuguese and Spanish participants, having a partner available was more important. Conclusion(s): This study demonstrated that negative emotions cooperated with the self-growth of older individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. The heterogeneity of experiences lived by each culture was highlighted, underlining the positive side of negative emotions and their strong connection with the self-growth of the older people. 1.von Humboldt S et al. Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: A cross-cultural qualitative study. Int Rev Psychiatry, 2020;1-10. 2. von Humboldt S et al. Does spirituality really matter? - A study on the potential of spirituality to older adult's adjustment to aging. Jpn Psychol Res, 56;114-125.

Negative Emotions Associated With Self- Growth Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Methods: Thus, a transnational qualitative survey was carried out. A content analysis was carried out. Results: Seven negative emotions were reported, namely: fear, sadness, anger, grief, annoyance, loneliness and shame. These emotions were considerably associated with the following themes: (a) Sharing experiences;(b) Availability of the partner;(c) Spirituality and religion;(d) Be active;(e) Interest in new projects;(f) Civic participation;(g) Sexual activity. Older participants with Mexican and Italian nationality reported that sharing experiences as the most relevant topic, while for the Portuguese and Spanish participants, having a partner available was more important. Background: The Covid-19 pandemic appeared globally (1), thus affecting the self-growth of the older population (2). The aim of this study is to identify and analyze the negative emotions felt during the pandemic, as well as their impact on self-growth of 226 older individuals of four nationalities: Mexican, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that negative emotions cooperated with the self-growth of older individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. The heterogeneity of experiences lived by each culture was highlighted, underlining the positive side of negative emotions and their strong connection with the self-growth of the older people. 1.von Humboldt S et al. Smart technology and the meaning in life of older adults during the Covid-19 public health emergency period: A cross-cultural qualitative study. Int Rev Psychiatry, 2020;1-10. 2. von Humboldt S et al. Does spirituality really matter? - A study on the potential of spirituality to older adult's adjustment to aging.