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Expressive Flexibility and Dispositional Optimism Contribute to the Elderly’s Resilience and Health-Related Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Sardella

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Vittorio Lenzo

    (Department of Social and Educational Sciences of the Mediterranean Area, “Dante Alighieri” University for Foreigners of Reggio Calabria, 89125 Reggio Calabria, Italy)

  • George A. Bonanno

    (Department of Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA)

  • Giorgio Basile

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School and Unit of Geriatrics, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

  • Maria C. Quattropani

    (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak had a negative impact on psychological status among elderly subjects, negatively affecting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Psychological factors that promote resilience might beneficially contribute also to promoting a better HRQoL among elderly subjects. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the contribution of dispositional optimism and expressive flexibility on the HRQoL of elderly outpatients during the COVID-19 outbreak. The outpatients were recruited from October 2018 to October 2019, and then followed-up during April 2020, by evaluating their HRQoL. The baseline sample consisted of 141 elderly outpatients (mean age 80.31 ± 6.84 years); the final number of outpatients included in the follow-up evaluation was 104 (mean age 80.26 ± 6.39). Univariate and multivariate linear regressions were developed to explore significant associations with the physical and mental component of HRQoL. Baseline dispositional optimism was a predictor of the mental component of HRQoL at follow-up; the flexible suppression of emotional expression was a predictor of the physical component of HRQoL at follow-up. From a psychogeriatric perspective, the accurate assessment of psychological factors, such as dispositional optimism and expressive flexibility, might help physicians and psychologists to recognize additional patients’ vulnerabilities during the current emergency.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Sardella & Vittorio Lenzo & George A. Bonanno & Giorgio Basile & Maria C. Quattropani, 2021. "Expressive Flexibility and Dispositional Optimism Contribute to the Elderly’s Resilience and Health-Related Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1698-:d:497172
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Vittorio Lenzo & Valentina Bordino & George A Bonanno & Maria C Quattropani, 2020. "Understanding the role of regulatory flexibility and context sensitivity in preventing burnout in a palliative home care team," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Natalia Czyżowska & Ewa Gurba, 2021. "Does Reflection on Everyday Events Enhance Meaning in Life and Well-Being among Emerging Adults? Self-Efficacy as Mediator between Meaning in Life and Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Antonio Zayas & Ana Merchán-Clavellino & José Antonio López-Sánchez & Rocío Guil, 2021. "Confinement Situation of the Spanish Population during the Health Crisis of COVID-19: Resilience Mediation Process in the Relationship of Dispositional Optimism and Psychological Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Chenyu Shangguan & Lihui Zhang & Yali Wang & Wei Wang & Meixian Shan & Feng Liu, 2022. "Expressive Flexibility and Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Gender Differences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-14, January.
    4. Rong Zou & Xiaobin Hong & Gaoxia Wei & Xia Xu & Jiajin Yuan, 2022. "Differential Effects of Optimism and Pessimism on Adolescents’ Subjective Well-Being: Mediating Roles of Reappraisal and Acceptance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Alberto Sardella & Vittorio Lenzo & Angela Alibrandi & Antonino Catalano & Francesco Corica & Maria C. Quattropani & Giorgio Basile, 2021. "A Clinical Bridge between Family Caregivers and Older Adults: The Contribution of Patients’ Frailty and Optimism on Caregiver Burden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-11, March.

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