Predictors of generalized anxiety during the COVID‐19 pandemic in older African Americans in Detroit. (31st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hanna, Sophie; Bass, Dwana; DiCerbo, Loraine M.; Shair, Sarah; Giordani, Bruno; Kavcic, Voyko
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 17(2021)Supplement 6
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12-31
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.054606
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic is a health emergency that has forced a change in the daily life of individuals across all nations, races and socioeconomic groups for over a year. Such a crisis has required social isolation, the closing of businesses, schools and many recreational activities. This abrupt change has had negative effects on mental health, especially in the most vulnerable populations. Method: For this study, 164 community‐dwelling older African Americans (mean age = 75.6, range = 65‐94) were recruited from the Wayne State Institute of Gerontology Healthier Black Elders Center and general Detroit area. Responses were gathered over the phone between July 28, 2020 to January 14, 2021. Generalized anxiety was measured by the GAD‐7. Responses to COVID‐19 were measured by: positive emotions (eg., gratitude, happiness), negative emotion (eg., anger, fear), unmet needs (eg., food, medical care), and personal issues (eg., economic problems, reduced privacy). Result: Of the participants, 12 reported having COVID‐19, with 48% reporting a close family member having the virus, 26% had a death in the family and 67% endorse feelings of isolation. Average anxiety on the GAD‐7 was 6.2 (SD = 5.4, range = 0‐21). Of the 163 participants that completed the scale, 46% reported no anxiety, 28% reported mild anxiety, 17% reported moderate anxiety, and 9 % reported severe anxiety. In a stepwise regression, the following factors were found to predict GAD scores: negative emotions (51% explained variance), positive emotions (3% explained variance) and daily stressors brought on by COVID‐19 (1% explained variance). Further analyses were completed to evaluate additional models to assess the interrelationships between predictors and significant COVID‐related milestones. Conclusion: This current study among older African Americans living in an urban area highlights daily‐life risk factors for anxiety during the time of COVID‐19. Negative emotions as primary predictors are factors which can be specifically addressed with current psychosocial services. More research is needed in order to fully understand the scope and correlates of anxiety predictors during these challenging times.