Mentally healthy living after pandemic social distancing: a study of older Canadians reveals helpful anxiety reduction strategies

• DOI: 10.1111/psyg.13103
• Publication Date: 2024-03-19T01:13:20Z
• Authors: Gail Low; Gloria Gutman; Zhiwei Gao; Alex Bacadini França; Sofia von Humboldt; Luciano Magalhães...; Donna M. Wilson; Hunaina Allana
• Keywords: Social distance; Distancing; Pandemic

Abstract Background Throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, older Canadians were most at risk of severe physical harm, including death, and their return to post‐COVID life was expected be especially anxiety‐provoking. A study conducted obtain nationally representative evidence Canadians' self‐perceived anxiety levels strategies manage or mitigate it as public health restrictions lifting. Materials Methods This had a cross‐sectional descriptive design. An e‐survey used collect data from 1327 aged 60+ stratified by age, sex, education resemble larger general population. Participants completed Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS‐10) indicated which 16 Centre for Addictions Mental Health's (2022) Coping with Stress they using when social distancing Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression analysis explore data. Results While, on average, mildly anxious, nearly one‐quarter responders rated severe. Age, perceived health, statistically significant correlates anxiety. Six coping associated significantly lower scores. Moreover, accepting some fear normal, challenging worries anxious thoughts, practising relaxation/meditation appeared increase Conclusion Older anxiety, seemingly, more successful than detrimental tries. Practitioners have much learn understand about people's mental promotion efforts after distancing, now future pandemics.