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Aging and Mental Health

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Aging".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2022) | Viewed by 19309

Special Issue Editors

Clinical Psychology Department, University Complutense of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, Ctra. de Húmera, s/n, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
Interests: aging; mental health; elderly; ageism; discrimination; stigma; loneliness; social isolation; Covid-19; gender
Institute for Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria
Interests: psychotherapy; therapeutic alliance; psychodynamic psychotherapy
Clinical Psychology Department, University Complutense of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, Ctra. de Húmera, s/n, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
Interests: stigma; discrimination; internalized stigma; mental illness; severe mental illness; aging; Covid-19; gender

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The world’s population is aging rapidly. Between 2015 and 2050, the number of adults over 60 is expected to increase from 900 million to 2 billion people. While most older people have good mental health, many are at risk of developing mental disorders. Epidemiological studies reveal that one in three individuals over 65 years of age have experienced a mental disorder in the past year and that nearly one in four currently suffer from one. The most prevalent disorders at these ages are anxiety disorders, depression, dementia and substance-related disorders. Older people face special mental health challenges that need to be recognized. Mental health problems are under-identified by healthcare professionals and older people themselves, and great differences are found according to gender, both in prevalence rates, the use of mental health services and the characterization of the symptomatology. Older women have greater exposure to risk factors for mental illness, but older men may be more vulnerable to their impacts. Additionally, the emergence of the current COVID-19 pandemic has created a new challenge for this population. Prompt recognition and high-quality mental health services for older adults are essential. To improve the access to health services of older people with a mental disorder, it is important to 1) improve the detection of mental disorders in older people by primary care professionals, 2) reduce the stigma of professionals towards older people with mental disorders, 3) combat self-referenced stigma and ageism, and 4) provide adequate social and health services for older people with a mental health problem.

This Special Issue addresses this topic by inviting scholars to share findings, perspectives and approaches aimed at analyzing age-related differences in several aspects of people's mental health. The goal is to improve the detection of and intervention for mental health problems in older people, taking into account the gender perspective (few studies have examined the mental health of minority genders in later life). Additionally of interest are epidemiological studies, especially regarding the mental health of those aged over 80, including studies of people living in residential aged care settings and studies on stigma and ageism towards older people with a mental health problem.

Prof. Dr. Berta Ausín
Prof. Dr. Sylke Andreas
Ms. Clara González-Sanguino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aging
  • mental health
  • elderly
  • gender
  • ageism
  • discrimination
  • stigma

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 759 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Social Pension Schemes on the Mental Health of the Chinese Elderly: A Mediating Effect Perspective of Two-Way Intergenerational Support
by Dongling Zhang, Yanyan Wang and Yuxin Jiao
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8721; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19148721 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2062
Abstract
With the rapid decline in China’s fertility rate, the acceleration of aging, the continuous miniaturization and nucleation of China’s family structure, and the deterioration of the elderly’s living conditions and mental states, the elderly’s mental health has emerged as a major public health [...] Read more.
With the rapid decline in China’s fertility rate, the acceleration of aging, the continuous miniaturization and nucleation of China’s family structure, and the deterioration of the elderly’s living conditions and mental states, the elderly’s mental health has emerged as a major public health issue and a major social problem. Pensions are the elderly’s primary source of income, and they can help them meet their basic needs while also promoting family harmony and improving their mental health. Based on the data of the 2012, 2016, and 2018 Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we empirically examined the impact of pensions on the elderly’s mental health by using the fixed effects model, mediating effect model, and so on. The results show that receiving pension benefits can significantly reduce the level of depression and improve the mental health of the elderly. Receiving pension benefits causes reverse intergenerational economic transfer, which reduces the effect of pensions on the elderly’s mental health to some extent, but the life care and mental comfort provided by children increases when the elderly share pensions with their children. Overall, receiving pension benefits improves the mental health of the elderly. In addition, the effect of pensions on the elderly with different characteristics is heterogeneous. The older elderly, women, the elderly living with their children, and the elderly in rural areas all benefit more from receiving pension benefits. Moreover, the worse the mental health of the elderly is, the stronger the influence of pensions on their mental health is. Our discussion has important policy implications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Mental Health)
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14 pages, 535 KiB  
Article
The Living Alone with Cognitive Impairment Project’s Policy Advisory Group on Long-Term Services and Supports: Setting a Research Equity Agenda
by Elena Portacolone, Jacqueline M. Torres, Julene K. Johnson, Donna Benton, Thomas Rapp, Thi Tran, Paula Martinez and Carrie Graham
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 6021; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19106021 - 16 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2178
Abstract
(1) Background: A United States national policy advisory group (PAG) was convened to identify barriers and facilitators to expand formal long-term services and support (LTSS) for people living alone with cognitive impairment (PLACI), with a focus on equitable access among diverse older adults. [...] Read more.
(1) Background: A United States national policy advisory group (PAG) was convened to identify barriers and facilitators to expand formal long-term services and support (LTSS) for people living alone with cognitive impairment (PLACI), with a focus on equitable access among diverse older adults. The PAG’s insights will inform the research activities of the Living Alone with Cognitive Impairment Project, which is aimed at ensuring the equitable treatment of PLACI. (2) Methods: The PAG identified barriers and facilitators of providing effective and culturally relevant LTSS to PLACI via one-on-one meetings with researchers, followed by professionally facilitated discussions among themselves. (3) Results: The PAG identified three factors that were relevant to providing effective and culturally relevant LTSS to PLACI: (i) better characterization of PLACI, (ii) leveraging the diagnosis of cognitive impairment, and (iii) expanding and enhancing services. For each factor, the PAG identified barriers and facilitators, as well as directions for future research. (4) Conclusions: The barriers and facilitators the PAG identified inform an equity research agenda that will help inform policy change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Mental Health)
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8 pages, 293 KiB  
Article
Pet Ownership and Mental and Physical Health in Older White and Black Males and Females
by Amy E. Albright, Ruifeng Cui and Rebecca S. Allen
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(9), 5655; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19095655 - 06 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3616
Abstract
Pet ownership literature remains mixed regarding associations with mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. The present study investigates the relationship between pet ownership and depression, health, and physical activity in an older adult sample balanced by sex (male/female), race (White/Black), and [...] Read more.
Pet ownership literature remains mixed regarding associations with mental and physical health outcomes among older adults. The present study investigates the relationship between pet ownership and depression, health, and physical activity in an older adult sample balanced by sex (male/female), race (White/Black), and urban/rural status. Participants were adults aged 65+ recruited between 1999 and 2001 in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Study of Aging. Participants completed the Geriatric Depression Scale, a single-item self-reported health measure, and a physical activity questionnaire. Dog owners reported better subjective health and were more likely to walk for exercise as compared to non-pet owners. Cat owners did not differ from non-pet owners in terms of self-reported health or walking. White participants were more likely than Black participants to report ownership of a pet. No relationships were found between pet ownership and symptoms of depression. Findings were not influenced by sex, race, or geographical location. Dog ownership may be associated with positive physical health behaviors and subjective health perceptions. Additional research focused on mechanisms and cognitive impact is needed. Although there may be physical health benefits of dog ownership, adopting a pet should not be viewed as a simplistic solution to alleviating depression in older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Mental Health)
12 pages, 637 KiB  
Article
Sociocultural Influences on the Feeling of Loneliness of Family Caregivers of People with Dementia: The Role of Kinship
by Cristina Huertas-Domingo, María Márquez-González, Isabel Cabrera, Samara Barrera-Caballero, María del Sequeros Pedroso-Chaparro, Rosa Romero-Moreno and Andrés Losada-Baltar
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4700; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18094700 - 28 Apr 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2252
Abstract
The extent to which familism, dysfunctional thoughts, and coping variables contribute to explaining feelings of loneliness in caregivers, controlling for kinship, is analyzed. Participants were 273 family caregivers of people with dementia. Sociodemographic variables, familism, dysfunctional thoughts, coping strategies for requesting and receiving [...] Read more.
The extent to which familism, dysfunctional thoughts, and coping variables contribute to explaining feelings of loneliness in caregivers, controlling for kinship, is analyzed. Participants were 273 family caregivers of people with dementia. Sociodemographic variables, familism, dysfunctional thoughts, coping strategies for requesting and receiving help, perceived social support, and leisure activities were assessed. The fit of a theoretical model for explaining the effect of cultural and psychological variables on feelings of loneliness in each kinship group was tested. No significant differences in the distribution of loneliness by kinship were found. Higher levels of familism are associated with more dysfunctional thoughts, that are linked to more maladaptive strategies for coping with caring (e.g., less social support and fewer leisure activities). This in turn is associated with higher scores in the feeling of loneliness. The model bore particular relevance to the group of daughters, husbands, and sons, yet not in the case of wives. Sociocultural and coping factors associated with the caring process seem to play an important role in explaining feelings of loneliness in caregivers. Sociocultural factors associated with the care process seem to play an important role in explaining feelings of loneliness in caregivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Mental Health)
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13 pages, 1449 KiB  
Article
A Network Analysis of Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms and Age- and Gender-Related Differences in People over 65 in a Madrid Community Sample (Spain)
by Miguel Ángel Castellanos, Berta Ausín, Sara Bestea, Clara González-Sanguino and Manuel Muñoz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(23), 8934; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17238934 - 01 Dec 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2188
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent conditions among mental disorders in individuals over 65 years. People over 65 who suffer from MDD are often functionally impaired, chronically physically ill, and express cognitive problems. The concordance between a clinician-assessed MDD [...] Read more.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent conditions among mental disorders in individuals over 65 years. People over 65 who suffer from MDD are often functionally impaired, chronically physically ill, and express cognitive problems. The concordance between a clinician-assessed MDD diagnosis in a primary care setting and MDD assessed with a structured clinical interview in older adults is only approximately 18%. Network analysis may provide an alternative statistical technique to better understand MDD in this population by a dimensional approach to symptomatology. The aim of this study was to carry out a network analysis of major depressive disorder (MDD) in people over 65 years old. A symptom network analysis was conducted according to age and gender in 555 people over 65, using a sample from the MentDis_ICF65+ Study. The results revealed different networks for men and women, and for the age groups 65–74 and 75–84. While depressive mood stood out in women, in men the network was more dispersed with fatigue or loss of energy and sleep disturbances as the main symptoms. In the 65–74 age group, the network was complex; however, in the 75–84 age group, the network was simpler with sleep disturbances as the central symptom. The gaps between the networks indicate the different characteristics of MDD in the elderly, with variations by gender and age, supporting the idea that MDD is a complex dynamic system that has unique characteristics in each person, rather than a prototypical classification with an underlying mental disorder. These unique characteristics can be taken into account in the clinical practice for detection and intervention of MDD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Mental Health)
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11 pages, 363 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Quality of Life and Sociodemographic, Physical and Mental Health Variables in People over 65 in the Community of Madrid
by Berta Ausín, Alba Zamorano and Manuel Muñoz
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(22), 8528; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17228528 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2368
Abstract
Except in the case of depression, there are few studies that analyze mental health variables related to quality of life (QoL) in people over 65 years of age. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between QoL and the following [...] Read more.
Except in the case of depression, there are few studies that analyze mental health variables related to quality of life (QoL) in people over 65 years of age. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between QoL and the following variables: sociodemographic and physical and mental health of people over 65 years of age. The sample was randomly selected and consists of men and women between 65 and 84 years of age (N = 555) from the Community of Madrid. Mental disorders were evaluated with the CIDI65+ interview and QoL with the WHOQoL-BREF scale. Means, ANOVA and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Women have worse QoL than men and QoL worsens with age. The regression model for the dependent variable “WHOQoL BREF Scale” explains 41.43% of the variance (R2 = 0.413). The variables that have the greatest impact on QoL are as follows: a greater number of physical and psychological symptoms, experiencing financial difficulties and the presence of a psychological disorder, while continuing to work has a positive effect on QoL. Physical and mental disorders have a similar impact on QoL. The presence of a greater number of psychological symptoms (without necessarily fulfilling the criteria of a mental disorder) is a predictive variable of worse QoL. Mental health has a burden on the QoL of people over 65 years of age that is as powerful as physical health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Mental Health)
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Review

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15 pages, 653 KiB  
Review
For Better or for Worse? A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Internet Use and Mental Health in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic
by Hui Foh Foong, Sook Yee Lim, Fakhrul Zaman Rokhani, Mohamad Fazdillah Bagat, Siti Farra Zillah Abdullah, Tengku Aizan Hamid and Siti Anom Ahmad
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3658; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19063658 - 19 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2858
Abstract
Older adults were advised to avoid social activities during the outbreak of COVID-19. Consequently, they no longer received the social and emotional support they had gained from such activities. Internet use might be a solution to remedy the situation. Therefore, this scoping review [...] Read more.
Older adults were advised to avoid social activities during the outbreak of COVID-19. Consequently, they no longer received the social and emotional support they had gained from such activities. Internet use might be a solution to remedy the situation. Therefore, this scoping review sought to map the literature on Internet use and mental health in the older population during the pandemic to examine the extent and nature of the research. A scoping review was conducted using eight databases—PubMed, Scopus, Ebscohost Medline, Ebscohost Academic Search, Ebscohost CINAHL Plus, Ebscohost Cochrane, Ebscohost Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, and Ebscohost SPORTDiscus, according to PRISMA guidelines. Two pre-tested templates (quantitative and qualitative studies) were developed to extract data and perform descriptive analysis and thematic summary. A total of ten articles met the eligibility criteria. Seven out of ten studies were quantitative, while the remainder were qualitative. Five common themes were identified from all the included studies. Our review revealed that Internet use for communication purposes seems to be associated with better mental health in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directions for future research and limitations of review are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aging and Mental Health)
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