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Prevalence of High Resilience in Old Age and Association with Perceived Threat of COVID-19—Results from a Representative Survey

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  • Elena Caroline Weitzel

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Margrit Löbner

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Susanne Röhr

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
    Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Alexander Pabst

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Ulrich Reininghaus

    (Department of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
    Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
    ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK)

  • Steffi G. Riedel-Heller

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

Abstract

Little is known about resilience in old age and its manifestation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of high resilience in the German old age population. We further examine the socio-demographic correlates and whether high resilience reflects on older adults’ perception of the threat posed by COVID-19. The data were derived from a representative telephone survey of n = 1005 older adults (≥65 years) during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Assessments included socio-demographic variables, the perceived threat of COVID-19, and high resilience (Brief Resilience Scale; cutoff: ≥4.31). The association between high resilience and threat from COVID-19 was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. The study sample had a mean age ( SD ) of 75.5 (7.1) years, and n = 566 (56.3%) were female. The estimated prevalence of high resilience was 18.7% (95% CI = [16.3; 21.2]). High resilience was more prevalent in the younger age group and participants with higher education levels. High resilience was significantly associated with a lower perception of threat from COVID-19. The results of the representative survey in the German old age population showed that one out of five adults aged 65 years and older had high resilience. Older adults with high resilience tended to feel less threatened by COVID-19. Further research on resilience in old age is needed to support vulnerable groups in the context of care.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Caroline Weitzel & Margrit Löbner & Susanne Röhr & Alexander Pabst & Ulrich Reininghaus & Steffi G. Riedel-Heller, 2021. "Prevalence of High Resilience in Old Age and Association with Perceived Threat of COVID-19—Results from a Representative Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7173-:d:588453
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    Cited by:

    1. Sina K. Gerhards & Melanie Luppa & Susanne Röhr & Alexander Pabst & Alexander Bauer & Thomas Frankhänel & Juliane Döhring & Catharina Escales & Isabel Renate Zöllinger & Anke Oey & Christian Brettschn, 2023. "Depression and Anxiety in Old Age during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study of Individuals at Cardiovascular Risk and the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa & Sheila Shaibu, 2022. "Resilience: Key Factors Associated With Resilience of Older People in Botswana," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, September.

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