Abstract
Objectives
Throughout 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic caused renewed restrictions across Germany. Given the growing evidence that the pandemic negatively affects older adults' health and well-being, this study investigated health sensitivity (emotional reactions to momentary health challenges age, morbidity, perceived COVID-19 risks and worries) among older adults in their everyday lives ring the second and third waves of the pandemic.
Methods
Multi-level models were applied to self-reported momentary health and affect data, collected 6 times per day across 7 consecutive days in 104 participants (Mage= 76.35; range: 67-88 years), assessed between April and June 2021 (~300,000 COVID-19 cases in Germany at the time).
Results
Health sensitivity was unrelated to age and lower with higher morbidity. Importantly, older adults showed higher health sensitivity in moments when they also perceived greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Discussion
Findings suggest that socio-contextual factors related to the pandemic modulate emotional reactions to momentary health challenges, thereby underscoring the consequences of COVID-19 for older adults' emotional experiences.
Throughout 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic caused renewed restrictions across Germany. Given the growing evidence that the pandemic negatively affects older adults' health and well-being, this study investigated health sensitivity (emotional reactions to momentary health challenges age, morbidity, perceived COVID-19 risks and worries) among older adults in their everyday lives ring the second and third waves of the pandemic.
Methods
Multi-level models were applied to self-reported momentary health and affect data, collected 6 times per day across 7 consecutive days in 104 participants (Mage= 76.35; range: 67-88 years), assessed between April and June 2021 (~300,000 COVID-19 cases in Germany at the time).
Results
Health sensitivity was unrelated to age and lower with higher morbidity. Importantly, older adults showed higher health sensitivity in moments when they also perceived greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
Discussion
Findings suggest that socio-contextual factors related to the pandemic modulate emotional reactions to momentary health challenges, thereby underscoring the consequences of COVID-19 for older adults' emotional experiences.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1018–1024 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | The Journals of Gerontology: Series B |
| Volume | 78 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Early online date | 12 Jan 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2023 |