Impact of social isolation during COVID-19 on psychological well-being of the elderly: an Indian survey-based study

Authors

  • Rajni Sharma Department of Paediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Krishan Kumar Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Lokesh Saini Department of Paediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Deepanshu Dhiman Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, GMSH-16, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Babita Ghai Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Vikas Suri Department of Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Subh Mohan Singh Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Ritin Mohendra Department of Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Chandigarh, Punjab, India
  • Pooja Tyagi Department of Psychology, Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Sciences, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Vijay Prasad Barre Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
  • Nitin Gupta Psychiatry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20213781

Keywords:

COVID-19, Elderly, Emotional distress, Impact, Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic the elderly population has started experiencing higher levels of anxiety both because of fear of contracting infection and due to restricted social life. Study was done to assess impact of lockdown on mental health of elderly.

Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study. 106 participants were enrolled aged above 60 years. A Google survey form was sent to the participants for filling, accompanied by sessions with a clinical psychologist. The socio-demographic data and various psychological parameters were assessed.

Results: Depression was most commonly reported (39.6%). Global satisfaction had a significant and positive correlation with both social security index (p=0.004) and social network scale (p=0.000).

Conclusions: The prevalence of anxiety, stress and depression increased during lockdown. Overall satisfaction with life was reduced. Psychological counselling and support should be readily available to elderly. The problem associated with social isolation and lockdown may seem to be acute but can have worse psychological outcomes in long term.

 

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Published

2021-09-27

How to Cite

Sharma, R., Kumar, K., Saini, L., Dhiman, D., Ghai, B., Suri, V., Singh, S. M., Mohendra, R., Tyagi, P., Prasad Barre, V., & Gupta, N. (2021). Impact of social isolation during COVID-19 on psychological well-being of the elderly: an Indian survey-based study. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 8(10), 4848–4856. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20213781

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Original Research Articles