Age Differences in COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Mental Health: Evidence From a National US Survey Conducted in March 2020
Age Differences in COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Mental Health: Evidence From a National US Survey Conducted in March 2020
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DOI：
10.1093/geronb/gbaa074
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发表时间：
2021-02-01
影响因子：
6.2
通讯作者：
de Bruin, Wandi Bruine
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
de Bruin, Wandi Bruine
目的：老龄化理论认为，老年人的年龄与较少的负面情绪有关，但很少有研究在新的挑战时研究年龄差异。随着COVID-19在美国的传播，这项研究旨在研究风险感知、焦虑和抑郁的年龄差异。方法：2020年3月，一项全国代表性的基于地址的样本，包括6,666名美国成年人，评估了他们对感染COVID-19的感知风险，如果感染，就会死亡，被隔离，失去工作（如果目前正在工作），以及耗尽资金。他们完成了焦虑和抑郁的心理健康评估。结果：在控制人口统计学变量和调查日期的回归分析中，年龄较大的成年人认为如果感染COVID-19会有更大的死亡风险，但认为感染COVID-19、被隔离或缺钱的风险较低，抑郁和焦虑也较少。在额外控制了危机前抑郁症诊断报告后，研究结果保持不变。讨论：除了感知的感染致死风险外，相对年长的美国成年人在大流行的早期阶段似乎有更乐观的前景和更好的心理健康。可能需要采取干预措施，帮助所有年龄段的人保持对风险的现实认识，同时在COVID-19危机期间管理抑郁和焦虑。风险沟通和心理健康干预的影响进行了讨论。
Objectives: Theories of aging posit that older adult age is associated with less negative emotions, but few studies have examined age differences at times of novel challenges. As COVID-19 spread in the United States, this study therefore aimed to examine age differences in risk perceptions, anxiety, and depression.Method: In March 2020, a nationally representative address-based sample of 6,666 U.S. adults assessed their perceived risk of getting COVID-19, dying if getting it, getting quarantined, losing their job (if currently working), and running out of money. They completed a mental health assessment for anxiety and depression. Demographic variables and precrisis depression diagnosis had previously been reported.Results: In regression analyses controlling for demographic variables and survey date, older adult age was associated with perceiving larger risks of dying if getting COVID-19, but with perceiving less risk of getting COVID-19, getting quarantined, or running out of money, as well as less depression and anxiety. Findings held after additionally controlling for precrisis reports of depression diagnosis.Discussion: With the exception of perceived infection-fatality risk, U.S. adults who were relatively older appeared to have a more optimistic outlook and better mental health during the early stages of the pandemic. Interventions may be needed to help people of all ages maintain realistic perceptions of the risks, while also managing depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Implications for risk communication and mental health interventions are discussed.