Multi-method analysis of gender differences in psychological distress among the elderly during COVID

Abstract

Exposure to stigmatization is an additional burden, causing increased suffering. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore adolescents' views on the prevalence of mental health problems and public stigma related to mental health problems. Methods: Semi-structured individual interviews and focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 32 adolescents, aged 15-18 years. The interviews were held on Gotland, Sweden's largest island, between October and December 2020. Systematic text condensation was used to analyse the data. Results: Three themes were identified: Having mental health problems is the new normal; What others think of us affects us a lot; If others lack experience and knowledge, they don't respond in a good way. The adolescents perceived mental health problems as a common phenomenon. Increased mental health problems in young people were linked to pressure related to school performance, social media and improved openness about mental health problems. Stereotypic gender norms, rumours and prejudice were perceived as important causal risk factors of mental health problems. Lack of knowledge was suggested as a source of prejudice against people suffering from mental health problems. Conclusions: The adolescents recognised mental health problems as an increasing public health issue, but also as a normal phenomenon due to current living conditions for young people.. They perceived stereotypic gender norms, taboo and prejudice against mental health problems as factors contributing to and increasing mental health problems and wished for a society without such factors. The results suggest that the tri-folded description of stigma involving stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination can be applicable to adolescents. Key messages: The results suggest that adolescents recognise mental health problems as an increasing public health issue but also as a normal phenomenon due to current living conditions for young people. Increased knowledge of mental health problems alongside reduction of prejudice and stereotypic gender norms was requested by the adolescents to improve young peoples' mental health. Abstract citation ID: ckac130.207 Multi-method analysis of gender differences in psychological distress among the elderly during COVID Contact: Ieva.reine@rsu.lv As COVID swept through Europe, and the world, with high rates of illness and death, so did symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, and psychological distress. This study examines the relationship between gender and psychological distress among Latvians over 50 years old within the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from Wave 8 COVID-19 data of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) as an early data version of the SHARE Corona survey conducted between June and August 2020. It features the data collected by telephone (CATI) on topics related to COVID-19 for a large sub-sample of SHARE panel respondents. This study examined a sample of 980 adults over 50 years old in Latvia. Bivariate analysis were performed utilizing the Pearson chi-square test for association to examine differences in symptoms of psychological distress by gender during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Level of significance was determined by the p-value test statistic. Alpha level was established at .05. A chi-square test for association shows that there were statistically relationships between gender and feeling nervous (X2 (2, N = 976) = 22.11, p < .001), feeling depressed (X2 (3, N = 976) = 10.95, p < .01), and trouble sleeping (X2 (2, N = 976) = 20.40, p < .001). This study rejects the null hypothesis that no differences exist between the genders, as women reported greater psychological distress during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional multi-method analysis is consistent with these findings and concludes that this is due to the greater concern women report for family, and the burden which placed limitations on meeting their children and grandchildren. Key messages: Gender differences exist in experiences of psychological distress during the early COVID-19 pandemic among the aging population in Latvia. With the high rates of illness and death associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, so were symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, and psychological distress. Abstract citation ID: ckac130.208