Article
Resilience in the elderly population, sociodemographic correlates, and threat experience by COVID-19 – results of a representative study
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Authors
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Elena Caroline Weitzel
- Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät, Leipzig, Deutschland
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Margrit Löbner
- Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät, Leipzig, Deutschland
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Susanne Röhr
- Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät, Leipzig, Deutschland; Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Ulrich Reininghaus
- Department Public Mental Health, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim, Universität Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deutschland; Centre for Epidemiology and Public Health, Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom; ESRC Centre for Society and Mental Health, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
- Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health (ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät, Leipzig, Deutschland
| Published: | September 27, 2021 |
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Outline
Text
Background and status of (inter)national research: The current COVID-19 pandemic shows the relevance of resilience, which means good adaption despite adversity. In later life, resilience is closely connected with well-being and successful aging. High resilience in old age is a suitable explanation, why the old age population has weathered the challenges of the pandemic so far. Nevertheless, little is known about high resilience and its correlates in older age.
Question and objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of high resilience in a representative sample of the German old age population and to examine its sociodemographic correlates. Furthermore, we want to examine if high resilience reflects in the evaluation of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Method or hypothesis: Data derived from a representative telephone survey of n=1,005 adults aged 65 years and older during COVID-19 lockdown in April 2020 in Germany. Assessments included socio-demographic variables and perceived threat by COVID-19. Resilience was assessed with the German adaption of the Brief Resilience Scale. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association of high resilience with threat by COVID-19.
Results: In our sample with a mean age (SD) of 75.5 (7.1) years (56.3% female), n=168 (18.7%; 95% CI=[16.3; 21.2]) had high resilience. High resilience was more prevalent in the younger age group and in participants with middle and high education. High resilience was significantly associated with lower perceived threat by COVID-19.
Discussion: This study is the first to estimate the prevalence of high resilience in the German old age population. Our results show that high resilience is prevalent in about one fifth of older adults. Among the old, younger age and better education seem to be relevant factors to adapt well in face of adversity. Also, our results indicate a protective function of resilience during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Practical implications: Learning more about high resilience in later life is a promising approach to identify support options for vulnerable subgroups of the old age population during the ongoing pandemic. Further, determinants and effects of resilience in old age represent suitable starting points to foster successful aging and deserve further attention in future studies.
Appeal for practice (science and/or care) in one sentence: Further research is needed on resilience in old age to better target vulnerable groups in the context of care for older people.
