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At the Peak of the Second Wave of COVID-19, Did Millennials Show Different Emotional Responses from Older Adults?

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  • Aurélie Wagener

    (Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE), Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Science of Education, University de Liege, Rue de l’Aunaie, 30, 4000 Liege, Belgium)

  • Céline Stassart

    (Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE), Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Science of Education, University de Liege, Rue de l’Aunaie, 30, 4000 Liege, Belgium)

  • Anne-Marie Etienne

    (Research Unit for a Life-Course Perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE), Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Science of Education, University de Liege, Rue de l’Aunaie, 30, 4000 Liege, Belgium)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disturbs mental health. Indeed, higher levels of negative emotions and anxiety, along with lower levels of positive emotions and well-being, have been highlighted. As a result, individuals need to regulate these psychological states in a context of uncertainty and daily restrictions (e.g., access to leisure activities, social contacts) or modifications of livelihood (e.g., working modalities). Overall, psychological reactions to the pandemic have been shown to differ based on one’s age. The purpose of this research is to compare psychological reactions to the pandemic between Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) and Older Adults. The generation’s prism seems relevant as members of specific generations are shaped (e.g., views of the world, the future) by their similar experiences. Ninety-four Millennials and 129 Older Adults, recruited in the general population, participated to an online survey assessing emotions, emotion regulation strategies, environmental satisfaction, and intolerance of uncertainty. Results show that Millennials experience higher levels of negative emotions along with higher levels of worry and rumination than Older Adults. Millennials also report a higher level of joy. Nonetheless, more Older Adults engage themselves in novel activities. Overall, findings confirm previous ones and indicate the need to offer effective clinicals tool to prevent mental health worsening.

Suggested Citation

  • Aurélie Wagener & Céline Stassart & Anne-Marie Etienne, 2022. "At the Peak of the Second Wave of COVID-19, Did Millennials Show Different Emotional Responses from Older Adults?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:5908-:d:814393
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Patrick Klaiber & Jin H Wen & Anita DeLongis & Nancy L Sin & Derek M Isaacowitz, 2021. "The Ups and Downs of Daily Life During COVID-19: Age Differences in Affect, Stress, and Positive Events," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 30-37.
    2. Davillas, Apostolos & M. Jones, Andrew, 2020. "The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on inequality of opportunity in psychological distress in the UK," ISER Working Paper Series 2020-07, Institute for Social and Economic Research.
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