Affective emotional states in lone senior citizens in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: the high contagiousness of COVID-19, the growth of confirmed cases and deaths in the world, and social isolation, has caused negative emotions and thoughts to spread, threatening the mental health of the population.

Objective: to identify affective emotional states in lone senior citizens, in social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, belonging to the “Josué País García” Polyclinic of Santiago de Cuba.

Methods: a descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out between April and May 2020, at the aforementioned health district. The study population was made up of 154 single senior citizens. The following variables were assessed: age, sex, marital status, cohabitation, occupation, comorbidity, anxiety, depression, irritability, stress. The information was obtained through a semi-structured interview.

Results: 59,1 % belonged to the female sex; 56,5 % were from the 70 to 79 age group; most of the elderly lived with their adult partner, a minor or a disabled person (116 for 75,3 %), only 38 (24,7 %) actually lived alone. 68,8 % did not have work-related ties. 85,7 % had pathologies considered risky for COVID-19. A normal level of irritability prevailed, both external (76,6 %) and internal (87,6 %); a mild level of anxiety (61,7 %); and a mild level of depression (50,2 %). 83,1 % showed alteration in stress levels.

Conclusions: social isolation, as a measure to avoid contagion, has had an impact on the mental health of lone senior citizens, with marked alteration in stress levels.