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The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults in China: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Jingyuan Liu

    (Department of Applied Social Science, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Crystal Kwan

    (Department of Applied Social Science, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jie Deng

    (Department of Applied Social Science, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yuxi Hu

    (Department of Applied Social Science, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Considered at a high risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults in China not only face the disadvantages caused by their relatively low immune systems, but also the challenges brought about by the complex psychological environment in which they spend this special period of their life. However, a thorough study on the impact of the pandemic on older adults’ mental health in China remains scant. Hence, this research aimed to investigate the question: What are the mental health outcomes and associated risk factors of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults in China? Two Chinese academic databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and WANFANG DATA) as well as six English academic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Social Science, and Google Scholar) were searched while following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were selected according to the predetermined inclusion criteria. Further, relatively high detective rates of mental health disorders, including anxiety symptoms (4.9% to 48.6%), depression symptoms (13.8% to 58.7%), hypochondria (11.9%), suicidal ideation (4.1%), along with worries and fear (55.7%) were all reported. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a threat to not only the physical, but also the psychological health of Chinese older adults. The most common risk factors of psychological distress among Chinese older adults were found in female gender, living in rural areas, coexisting chronic diseases, and insufficient knowledge about the COVID pandemic. As a result, government policy and psychological guidelines that are created in order to alleviate the adverse effects of COVID-19 on older adults’ mental health, need to be further developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingyuan Liu & Crystal Kwan & Jie Deng & Yuxi Hu, 2022. "The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults in China: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14362-:d:961587
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei Liang & Yanping Duan & Borui Shang & Chun Hu & Julien Steven Baker & Zhihua Lin & Jiali He & Yanping Wang, 2021. "Precautionary Behavior and Depression in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Cross-Sectional Study in Hubei, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Qian Sun & Nan Lu, 2020. "Social Capital and Mental Health among Older Adults Living in Urban China in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-11, October.
    3. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lu-yin Liang & Hai-bo Che, 2023. "Fear of COVID-19 and Adverse Psychological Health Outcomes Among Chinese Elderly: a Serial Mediation Model of Social Participation and Loneliness," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(5), pages 2181-2196, October.

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