Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychological status and quality of life among participants of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to identify differences in quality of life before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and determine the influence of psychological status on the observed changes in the quality of life among older adults. Methods: The Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research study recruited Malaysians aged at least 55 years from 2013 to 2015. Follow-ups were conducted between September and December 2020. Quality of life was determined using the 12-item Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization, and Pleasure questionnaire. Psychological statuses were assessed using the 21-item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale, 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and 4-item Perceived Stress Scale. Results: This study included data from 706 individuals (mean age, 73.3±6.8 years). We observed reduced quality of life and increased anxiety among 402 (43.1) and 144 (20.9) participants, respectively. Participants felt “out of control,” “left out,” “short of money,” and “life was full of opportunities” less often and could “please themselves with what they did” more often. Multivariate analyses revealed increased depression, anxiety, and stress as independent risk factors for reduced quality of life. Conclusion: Individuals with increased depression, anxiety, and stress levels during the pandemic experienced a worsening quality of life. Thus, the development of effective strategies to address the mental health of older adults is needed to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on their quality of life. © 2022 by The Korean Geriatrics Society.
Keywords
Aged, Anxiety, Article, Cohort analysis, Coronavirus disease 2019, Depression, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Female, Human, Major clinical study, Malaysian, Male, Mental health, Mental stress, pandemic, Perceived Stress Scale, Physical activity, Psychometry, quality of life, Questionnaire, Risk factor, Short Form 36, Sleep quality, Social support
Divisions
medicinedept
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia,LRGS/1/2019/ UM//1/1
Publication Title
Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
Volume
26
Issue
4
Publisher
Korean Geriatrics Society
Additional Information
Cited by: 2; All Open Access, Gold Open Access, Green Open Access