COVID-19 Pandemic Exacerbates Mental Health Issues in Older Adults with Cancer

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on mental health, particularly among older adults with cancer. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders have likely increased loneliness, social isolation, and decreased social support for this vulnerable population. Research conducted at Washington University has shed light on the magnitude of this issue, highlighting the need for further studies to understand the relationship between cancer diagnosis and treatment, loneliness, social isolation, and social support.

Key Takeaways:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted mental health in older adults with cancer, with 27% screening positive for at least one indicator of loneliness.
• 3% of participants in the study were severely lonely, as measured by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Three Item Loneliness Scale.
• There was a significant positive correlation between loneliness and social isolation (r = +0.52, p < 0.01).
• The study found a strong association between social isolation and loneliness, with 71% of participants experiencing social isolation and 68% experiencing loneliness.
• Cancer diagnosis and treatment may mediate changes in loneliness, social isolation, and social support in the context of the pandemic and beyond.
• The mixed-methods study involved 100 older adults with cancer, who completed a survey by telephone with a series of validated questionnaires to assess loneliness, social isolation, and social support.
• Baseline demographics and geriatric assessments were summarized using descriptive statistics, while bivariate associations between social isolation and loneliness and social support and loneliness were described using Spearman correlation coefficients.
• Conventional content analysis was performed on the open-ended questions, providing valuable insights into the experiences of older adults with cancer during the pandemic.

Statistics:

• 27% of participants screened positive for at least one indicator of loneliness by the UCLA Three Item Loneliness Scale.
• 3% were severely lonely, as measured by the UCLA Three Item Loneliness Scale.
• The correlation between loneliness and social isolation was significant, with a Spearman correlation coefficient of r = +0.52 (p < 0.01).
• 71% of participants experienced social isolation, while 68% experienced loneliness.
• The study involved 100 older adults with cancer, who were assessed using a mixed-methods approach.

Sources:

• Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Social Support In Older Adults With Active Cancer During the Covid-19 Pandemic. Journal of Geriatric Oncology, 2022;13(8):1122-1131.
• The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Katherine Clifton, Washington University, St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.
• Elsevier - www.elsevier.com
• Journal of Geriatric Oncology - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-geriatric-oncology/