Changes in life satisfaction, depression, general health and sleep quality of Spanish older women during COVID-19 lockdown and their relationship with lifestyle: an observational follow-up study

Abstract

Objetives: To analyse the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on mental well-being variables of older women, and to determine the influence of lifestyle and age on such effects. The hypothesis of the study was that all parameters related to mental well-being would worsen in older women during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Design: Observational follow-up study. Pre lockdown measurements were taken before the lockdown. Post lockdown measurements were taken as soon as began the de-escalation.

Setting: Senior centres in the Region of Murcia (Spain).

Participants: The sample was composed of 40 older women volunteers, over 54 years of age (mean age=62.35±8.15 years).

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Pre lockdown and post lockdown evaluations were carried out face to face. The following questionnaires were completed: Satisfaction with Life Scale, The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, The Short Form 36 Health Survey, The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and Prevention with Mediterranean Diet.

Results: Post lockdown, a worsening was found in the variables of life satisfaction (p=0.001); depression (p<0.001), quality of life in physical role (p=0.006), pain (p=0.004), emotional role (p<0.001) and mental health (p<0.001); and sleep quality (p=0.018), sleep latency (p=0.004), sleep disturbances (p=0.002) and global sleep quality score (p=0.002). It was found how age influenced the variables of pain (p=0.003) and social role (p=0.047), as well as the influence of a healthy lifestyle on the variables analysed (F=6.214; p=0.017). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was shown to be a protective factor against increased depression (p=0.03). Spending time sitting was shown to be a risk factor for physical role health (p=0.002), as was advanced age on health due to worsening pain (p=0.005), or an unhealthy lifestyle on increased consumption of sleeping aids (p=0.017).

Conclusion: The lockdown had a great negative impact on Spanish older women on mental well-being variables.

Trial registration number: NCT04958499.

Keywords: COVID-19; geriatric medicine; mental health.