IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i13p7173-d588453.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Prevalence of High Resilience in Old Age and Association with Perceived Threat of COVID-19—Results from a Representative Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Caroline Weitzel

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Margrit Löbner

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Susanne Röhr

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
    Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland)

  • Alexander Pabst

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Ulrich Reininghaus

    (Department of Public Mental Health, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
    Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
    ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK)

  • Steffi G. Riedel-Heller

    (Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health (ISAP), Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

Abstract

Little is known about resilience in old age and its manifestation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of high resilience in the German old age population. We further examine the socio-demographic correlates and whether high resilience reflects on older adults’ perception of the threat posed by COVID-19. The data were derived from a representative telephone survey of n = 1005 older adults (≥65 years) during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Assessments included socio-demographic variables, the perceived threat of COVID-19, and high resilience (Brief Resilience Scale; cutoff: ≥4.31). The association between high resilience and threat from COVID-19 was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression. The study sample had a mean age ( SD ) of 75.5 (7.1) years, and n = 566 (56.3%) were female. The estimated prevalence of high resilience was 18.7% (95% CI = [16.3; 21.2]). High resilience was more prevalent in the younger age group and participants with higher education levels. High resilience was significantly associated with a lower perception of threat from COVID-19. The results of the representative survey in the German old age population showed that one out of five adults aged 65 years and older had high resilience. Older adults with high resilience tended to feel less threatened by COVID-19. Further research on resilience in old age is needed to support vulnerable groups in the context of care.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Caroline Weitzel & Margrit Löbner & Susanne Röhr & Alexander Pabst & Ulrich Reininghaus & Steffi G. Riedel-Heller, 2021. "Prevalence of High Resilience in Old Age and Association with Perceived Threat of COVID-19—Results from a Representative Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7173-:d:588453
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/7173/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/13/7173/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrea Chmitorz & Mario Wenzel & Rolf-Dieter Stieglitz & Angela Kunzler & Christiana Bagusat & Isabella Helmreich & Anna Gerlicher & Miriam Kampa & Thomas Kubiak & Raffael Kalisch & Klaus Lieb & Olive, 2018. "Population-based validation of a German version of the Brief Resilience Scale," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(2), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Megan C. Whatnall & Amanda J. Patterson & Yu Yao Siew & Frances Kay-Lambkin & Melinda J. Hutchesson, 2019. "Are Psychological Distress and Resilience Associated with Dietary Intake Among Australian University Students?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Laura Perna & Andreas Mielck & Maria Lacruz & Rebecca Emeny & Rolf Holle & Ariane Breitfelder & Karl Ladwig, 2012. "Socioeconomic position, resilience, and health behaviour among elderly people," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(2), pages 341-349, April.
    4. Ketevan Glonti & Vladimir S Gordeev & Yevgeniy Goryakin & Aaron Reeves & David Stuckler & Martin McKee & Bayard Roberts, 2015. "A Systematic Review on Health Resilience to Economic Crises," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-22, April.
    5. Liliya Leopold, 2018. "Education and Physical Health Trajectories in Later Life: A Comparative Study," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 55(3), pages 901-927, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sina K. Gerhards & Melanie Luppa & Susanne Röhr & Alexander Pabst & Alexander Bauer & Thomas Frankhänel & Juliane Döhring & Catharina Escales & Isabel Renate Zöllinger & Anke Oey & Christian Brettschn, 2023. "Depression and Anxiety in Old Age during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study of Individuals at Cardiovascular Risk and the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa & Sheila Shaibu, 2022. "Resilience: Key Factors Associated With Resilience of Older People in Botswana," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(3), pages 21582440221, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Elena Caroline Weitzel & Heide Glaesmer & Andreas Hinz & Samira Zeynalova & Sylvia Henger & Christoph Engel & Markus Löffler & Nigar Reyes & Kerstin Wirkner & A. Veronica Witte & Arno Villringer & Ste, 2022. "What Builds Resilience? Sociodemographic and Social Correlates in the Population-Based LIFE-Adult-Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Kristin Thomas & Evalill Nilsson & Karin Festin & Pontus Henriksson & Mats Lowén & Marie Löf & Margareta Kristenson, 2020. "Associations of Psychosocial Factors with Multiple Health Behaviors: A Population-Based Study of Middle-Aged Men and Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Tom Hendriks & Tobi Graafsma & Aabidien Hassankhan & Ernst Bohlmeijer & Joop de Jong, 2018. "Strengths and virtues and the development of resilience: A qualitative study in Suriname during a time of economic crisis," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 64(2), pages 180-188, March.
    4. England, Clare & Jarrom, David & Washington, Jennifer & Hasler, Elise & Batten, Leona & Edwards, Adrian & Lewis, Ruth, 2024. "Methodological approaches to measuring mental health in a cost-of-living crisis: A rapid review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    5. Margaux Robert & Rebecca Shankland & Valentina A. Andreeva & Mélanie Deschasaux-Tanguy & Emmanuelle Kesse-Guyot & Alice Bellicha & Christophe Leys & Serge Hercberg & Mathilde Touvier & Sandrine Péneau, 2022. "Resilience Is Associated with Less Eating Disorder Symptoms in the NutriNet-Santé Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    6. Naijie Guan & Alessandra Guariglia & Patrick Moore & Fangzhou Xu & Hareth Al-Janabi, 2022. "Financial stress and depression in adults: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(2), pages 1-20, February.
    7. Donya Gilan & Markus Müssig & Omar Hahad & Angela M. Kunzler & Simon Samstag & Nikolaus Röthke & Johannes Thrul & Frauke Kreuter & Michael Bosnjak & Philipp Sprengholz & Cornelia Betsch & Daniel Wolls, 2021. "Protective and Risk Factors for Mental Distress and Its Impact on Health-Protective Behaviors during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic between March 2020 and March 2021 in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-12, August.
    8. Stacy M. Fandetti & Alicia Anne Dahl & Caitlan Webster & Morium Barakat Bably & Maren J. Coffman & Elizabeth F. Racine, 2023. "Healthy Food Policies Documented in University Food Service Contracts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-14, August.
    9. Roxana Schwab & Kathrin Stewen & Laura Ost & Tanja Kottmann & Susanne Theis & Tania Elger & Mona Wanda Schmidt & Katharina Anic & Stefanie Roxana Kalb & Walburgis Brenner & Annette Hasenburg, 2022. "Predictors of Psychological Distress in Women with Endometriosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-18, April.
    10. Panagiotis Volkos & Emmanouil K Symvoulakis, 2021. "Impact of financial crisis on mental health: A literature review ‘puzzling’ findings from several countries," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(7), pages 907-919, November.
    11. Javier Álvarez-Gálvez & María Luisa Rodero-Cosano & José A. Salinas-Pérez & Diego Gómez-Baya, 2019. "Exploring the Complex Associations Among Social Determinants of Health in Andalusia After the 2008 Financial Crisis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 141(2), pages 873-893, January.
    12. Chen, Xi & Yan, Binjian & Gill, Thomas M., 2020. "Childhood Circumstances and Health Inequality in Old Age: Comparative Evidence from China and the United States," IZA Discussion Papers 13460, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    13. Karol Konaszewski & Małgorzata Niesiobędzka & Janusz Surzykiewicz, 2020. "Validation of the Polish version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS)," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, August.
    14. Chen-Mao Liao & Chih-Ming Lin, 2017. "The Effects of the Global Economic Recession and a Reduced Alcohol Tax on Hospitalizations Due to Alcohol-Attributed Diseases in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-12, May.
    15. Giulia Casu & Valentina Hlebec & Licia Boccaletti & Irena Bolko & Alessandra Manattini & Elizabeth Hanson, 2021. "Promoting Mental Health and Well-Being among Adolescent Young Carers in Europe: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-23, February.
    16. Malak Kouiti & Carmen Ortega-Rico & Juan Pedro Arrebola & Mabel Gracia-Arnaiz & Cristina Larrea-Killinger, 2023. "Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors Associated to Fruits and Vegetables Consumption in Elderly Europeans: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-23, February.
    17. Beata Gavurova & Samer Khouri & Viliam Kovac & Michaela Ferkova, 2020. "Exploration of Influence of Socioeconomic Determinants on Mortality in the European Union," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-21, June.
    18. Gesche Janzarik & Daniel Wollschläger & Michèle Wessa & Klaus Lieb, 2022. "A Group Intervention to Promote Resilience in Nursing Professionals: A Randomised Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-18, January.
    19. Silvia San Román-Mata & Pilar Puertas-Molero & José Luis Ubago-Jiménez & Gabriel González-Valero, 2020. "Benefits of Physical Activity and Its Associations with Resilience, Emotional Intelligence, and Psychological Distress in University Students from Southern Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-12, June.
    20. Migle Baceviciene & Rasa Jankauskiene & Vaiva Balciuniene, 2020. "The Role of Body Image, Disordered Eating and Lifestyle on the Quality of Life in Lithuanian University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-17, March.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:7173-:d:588453. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.