A qualitative study about the mental health and wellbeing of older adults in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic

被引:72
作者
McKinlay, A. R. [1 ]
Fancourt, D. [1 ]
Burton, A. [1 ]
机构
[1] UCL, Inst Epidemiol Hlth Care, Res Dept Behav Sci & Hlth, 1-19 Torrington Pl, London WC1E 7HB, England
基金
英国惠康基金; 英国经济与社会研究理事会; 英国科研创新办公室;
关键词
Older adults; Mental health; Social support; Covid-19; POPULATION; COHERENCE; SENSE;
D O I
10.1186/s12877-021-02367-8
中图分类号
R592 [老年病学]; C [社会科学总论];
学科分类号
03 ; 0303 ; 100203 ;
摘要
Objectives The objective of this study was to examine factors that threatened and protected the wellbeing of older adults living in the UK during social distancing restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Semi-structured telephone or video interviews with 20 adults aged over 70. Purposive sampling methods were used to increase diversity within the group. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Participants described potential threats to their wellbeing during the pandemic, including fears for mortality, grieving normal life, and concerns for the future. Participants also described activities and behaviours that helped to protect their mental health, including adopting a slower pace of life, maintaining routine, socialising, and using past coping skills. Many participants drew on their resilience and life experience to self-manage fear and uncertainty associated with the pandemic, using their time during lockdown to reflect or organise end-of-life affairs. Discussion This study provides UK-based evidence that while some older adults experienced challenges during the first wave of COVID-19, many were resilient throughout social distancing restrictions despite early reported concerns of mental health consequences among the older adult population. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining access to essentials to promote feelings of normality and use of social support to help reduce uncertainty in times of pandemics.
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页数:10
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