Leiden University Student Repository

Schenkel, Sophie (2025)

Our Most Vulnerable Group Stays Calm: An explorative study on pandemic-related stressors and well-being in older adults in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic

Master thesis | Psychology (MSc)

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic led to strict governmental restrictions that disrupted social contacts and daily activities. While research showed increased population-wide mental health problems, the consequences of these restrictions for older adults remains inconclusive. Objectives: This cross-sectional study explores pandemic-related stressors and well-being in older adults, and focuses on differences based on relationship status and living situation during the early stages of the pandemic. Methods: Data from the first wave of the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) longitudinal ADJUST study was used. In total, N = 15,563 participants aged 18-96 from eleven countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden) completed a self-report questionnaire between June and November 2020. Analyses explored the associations between age, well- being, living situation, relationship status, and pandemic-related...Show moreBackground: The Covid-19 pandemic led to strict governmental restrictions that disrupted social contacts and daily activities. While research showed increased population-wide mental health problems, the consequences of these restrictions for older adults remains inconclusive. Objectives: This cross-sectional study explores pandemic-related stressors and well-being in older adults, and focuses on differences based on relationship status and living situation during the early stages of the pandemic. Methods: Data from the first wave of the European Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) longitudinal ADJUST study was used. In total, N = 15,563 participants aged 18-96 from eleven countries (Austria, Croatia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden) completed a self-report questionnaire between June and November 2020. Analyses explored the associations between age, well- being, living situation, relationship status, and pandemic-related stressors to determine potential risk and protective factors. Results: Older adults reported the highest burden from Restricted physical and social contact, Restricted activities and Fear of infection. However overall, their burden was low and their ell-being was higher compared to the rest of the population. No group difference in well-being were found in older adults living alone and older adults living with others, but single individuals reported lower well-being compared to partnered individuals. Conclusion: Despite being considered one of the most vulnerable groups, older adults showed higher resilience than younger adults. Future research needs to focus on population subgroups such as the most isolated older individuals to get a better picture of the variations in well-being and mental health outcomes.Show less

Covid-19, pandemic, old adults, Europe, pandemic-related stressors, early stage of the pandemic, mental health, living situation, living alone, relationship status, age differences, exploratory research, risk factors, protective factors, resilience, descriptive research, young adults, vulnerable groups

Author

Schenkel, Sophie

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Specialisation

Clinical Psychology

Supervisors

Assistent professor Joanne Mouthaan

ECTS Credits

60

Language

en