Publication date: Dec 09, 2024

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. During the virus’s spread and subsequent lockdowns, older adults faced heightened risks and significant mental health challenges. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Shandong Province, China, using a custom-designed demographic questionnaire, a COVID-19-related survey, and the Symptom Checklist-90 Revised (SCL-90-R). Correspondence analysis and multiple linear regression models were employed to examine factors influencing the mental health of older adults. Among 3363 older adults, the total SCL-90-R score was 153. 11 +/- 36. 98, with an average score of 1. 70 +/- 0. 41. Both scores were lower than the Chinese norm and pre-pandemic levels. Factors significantly affecting older adults’ mental health included place of residence, age, educational attainment, marital status, fear of COVID-19, understanding of COVID-19 transmission routes, and awareness of preventive measures. Greater attention is needed to address the mental health of older adult males, individuals of advanced age, employed individuals, those with lower educational backgrounds, and those without a spouse. Policymakers should implement targeted policies and interventions to enhance mental health support for older adults.

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