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

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 e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 2021-11, Vol.36 (11), p.1785-1794
Main Authors: Sirin, Hulya, Ahmadi, Ahmad Abed, Ketrez, Gamze, Ozbeyaz, Cagri, Dikmen, Asiye Ugras, Ozkan, Secil
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anxiety
Anxiety disorders
compulsory home‐stay
COVID-19
COVID‐19 pandemic
Education
elderly
Geriatric psychiatry
Mixed methods research
Older people
Pandemics
Physical activity
Risk factors
Social interactions
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Summary: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. Key points The measures taken against the pandemic have important effects on the mental health of the elderly population. The most important psychological consequences of isolation are loneliness, uncertainty, and anxiety. It was seen in this study that the anxiety level of the elderly population was affected by various factors, including social and psychological, during the pandemic period. We have found in this study that having a hobby, high education level, and regular physical activity were protective in terms of anxiety level in pandemic conditions for the elderly population. Considering that the elderly population is increasing in developing countries, especially in Turkey, it is crucial to protect the mental health of the elderly population under pandemic conditions.
ISSN:0885-6230
1099-1166
DOI:10.1002/gps.5600