Assessment of anxiety in elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of compulsory home-stay in the central districts of Ankara, Turkey: A quantitative, qualitative mixed method study
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, cilt.36, sa.11, ss.1785-1794, 2021 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 36 Sayı: 11
- Basım Tarihi: 2021
- Doi Numarası: 10.1002/gps.5600
- Dergi Adı: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, AgeLine, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1785-1794
- Anahtar Kelimeler: anxiety, compulsory home-stay, COVID-19 pandemic, elderly
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: This study aimed to determine the level of anxiety in elderly individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ankara province of Turkey and determine its associated factors. Methods: A quantitative, qualitative mixed-method study performed in 1–10 June 2020 during the compulsory home-stay for elderly people in Turkey. The quantitative study was conducted using a structured online questionnaire with 278 participants aged 65 or older. The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) was used to assess the anxiety. An in-depth interview with 20 participants was used to fill the gap of face-to-face interview due to pandemic situation and strengthen the results of quantitative survey. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed separately. Results: Of all participants, 88 (31.7%) had a score above the cut-off point for GAI. The prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was significantly higher in female (37.8%) than in male (23.8%). Female gender, economic loss, uncertainty, and the time participants expend to follow news about COVID-19 pandemic were risk factors of GAD. On the other hand, higher education level, hobbies, and regular physical activity were protective factors against GAD. Conclusion: During the pandemic, social isolation and lockdown for elderly people make serious risk factor for their mental well-being. Measures must be taken to support the psychological well-being of elderly by promoting physical activity and hobbies at home, and reducing their economic concerns.