Aim: Outbreaks have a wide spectrum of psychosocial impact on individuals. This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial effects of measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease on older adults in Turkey.
Methods: A survey was conducted of 104 adults who had to stay at home during the pandemic. Participants' depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, nutritional status, health-related quality of life, and sleep quality were assessed.
Results: The frequency of depressive and anxiety symptoms was 37.5% and 29.8%, respectively. The frequency of depressive symptoms was higher in women, individuals age ≥85 years, and those with less education and low monthly income. Anxiety symptom frequency was also higher in women and those with less education and low monthly income. Quality of life and sleep were worse in those with depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first published study to investigate the effect of a pandemic on the mood, anxiety symptoms, nutrition status, quality of life, and sleep of older adults during the pandemic period. Our findings indicate the importance of psychosocial support in older individuals during and after the pandemic period.
Keywords: coronavirus disease 2019; depression; older adults; quality of life; social isolation.
© 2020 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.