JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Due to these strict measures, the extend of COVID-19 goes beyond morbidity and mortality and affects mental health in the long-term.

Objective:

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and its contributing factors among older people in Chengmai County, China.

Methods:

An online survey was administered through the WeChat-based program Questionnaire Star between March and April/2020. Older people (i.e.,>50 years old) from local and foreign group communities completed the survey with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the GAD-7(anxiety), and PHQ-9 (depression). Independent t-tests and multiple linear regression analysis were used to investigate differences between anxiety/depression and factors associated with these symptoms across the two groups.

Results:

Overall, 469 (25% male, 43%>65 years old) responses were received. Of these, 245(52%) were from the local community group and 224(48%) from the foreign group. GAD-7 (p=.002) and PHQ-9 (p=.043) mean scores were significantly higher in the local group. Anxiety was significantly more present in the local group (25% vs. 16% from foreign one; p=0.013). Six respondents presented severe anxiety and none severe depression.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that both community groups of older adults from the Chinese “hometown of longevity” presented anxiety/depression disorders during the first months of the pandemic. Local community groups presented significantly more mental health disorders, which were associated with history of previous psychological disorders.