Author ORCID Identifier
Yujun Liu: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4115-9459
M. Courtney Hughes: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8699-5701
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine
Abstract
Background: COVID-19 deeply affected the health and well-being of older adults. This study examines health behavior change and the interrelationships between health behaviors, financial difficulties, and depressive symptoms among older adults across gender and race during the pandemic.
Methods: Using Rounds 1, 5, and 10 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) linked with the NHATS COVID-19 dataset, our sample included Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older in the U.S. (N = 3,118). We modeled the interrelationships between health behaviors, financial difficulties, and depressive symptoms using a structural equation model.
Results: Female participants reported less walking, more changes in eating habits, less sleeping, and less alcohol consumption during the pandemic than before the pandemic compared to male participants. Compared to White, Non-White participants showed higher proportions of experiencing financial difficulties, less walking, less vigorous activity, and changes in time spent eating and sleeping during than before the pandemic. Financial difficulties was positively associated with depressive symptoms and sedentary behavior. Active behavior was negatively associated with depressive symptoms, while sedentary behavior was positively associated with more depressive symptoms.
Discussion: Health professionals should consider health behaviors and financial difficulties when intervening on depressive symptoms experienced by older adults since the pandemic.
First Page
1
Last Page
10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/23337214231192820
Publication Date
2023
Recommended Citation
Liu, Y., Wang, H., & Hughes, M. C. (2023). Health behaviors, financial difficulties, and depressive symptoms among older adults across gender and race during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 9, 23337214231192820
Original Citation
Liu, Y., Wang, H., & Hughes, M. C. (2023). Health behaviors, financial difficulties, and depressive symptoms among older adults across gender and race during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 9, 23337214231192820
Department
School of Family and Consumer Sciences| School of Health Studies
