This can worsen the condition of those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases.
Pandemic coronavirus — threat is not only physical but also psychological health. Russian scientists decided to identify the age group most susceptible to anxiety and depression responding to the situation. It is about fear of infection, and fear of losing a job, plus the heavy impact on individuals provided self-isolation.
Experts from St. Petersburg state University conducted a research method online survey among the Russian-speaking audience. The sample consisted of 412 persons aged 18 to 67 years.
Participants were asked to complete seven questionnaires and a specially designed form of social activity. The study was conducted in April — when the pandemic coronavirus “gaining momentum”.
For the analysis the participants were divided into age groups with roughly equal number of people: 18-24 years, 25-34 years, 35-44 years, 45-54 years, 55 years and older. After a survey, the authors compared rates of anxiety and depression among the respondents.
This state is called personal anxiety. Many among the young and those with high anxiety responded to specific cases of 72.6%. As for the depression, a fifth of them showed mild (when symptoms are not strongly expressed), and half were susceptible to moderate or severe form of the disorder.
In the age group 25-34 years, the situation is more favourable in only half showed a high level of anxiety and 70.6% personal. The severity of depression following: 23,8% — in a weak form, 31.5% of the trends from moderate to severe.
the Next age group — 35-44 years — similar to the previous one, with differences of several percentage points.
However, in the group 45-54 years, scientists again noted the propensity for psychological distress. Increase in the number of respondents with a high level of situational and personal anxiety are 62.5% and 80%, respectively. However, among Mature people is less than the percentage of those who may be suffering severe depression and: 2.5% and 10% respectively. But increases index low depression and moderate forms is 37.5% and 17.5%. Only a third of respondents do not exhibit depressive symptoms.
Thus, the most vulnerable in the psychological sense — the age group of 18-24 years and 45-54 years. And among young people is dominated by components of anxiety, not associated with fear of becoming infected. Therefore, their disorder is likely to represent a reaction to the overall situation of social uncertainty in the absence of experience of such crises. Perhaps it’s a tieANO that generation faced in the age of major crises in the country or around the world.
In the age group 45-54 years anxiety more objectively justified. There is a high fear of Contracting COVID-19 coexists with a high probability of catching the disease, which is a disadvantage from the point of view of the formation of the anxiety and depression trends.
in the period of the pandemic, they also act as the economically active age group. Therefore better able to assess the likelihood of negative consequences of the pandemic. Respondents from this group felt uncertain threat, of their own uselessness, the inability to influence the situation, said the study.
the Average age groups differ the most stable indicators of the emotional state. The result can be explained by the fact that they are more included in social activity, it allows them easier to adapt to the situation and find a way out of a difficult situation.
People aged 55+ have a relatively high adaptive capacity, perhaps partly because of the rich social experience, and more than in the other groups, a number of social guarantees. Therefore, also tend to remain calm and not to panic.
the Possibility of development of heart attacks and strokes due fear of the coronavirus should be taken seriously, sure leading scientific employee-Vice head of laboratory of the analysis of indicators of population health and the digitization of health MIPT Stanislav Otstavnov
the Risk of exacerbation cardiovascular diseases on the background of stress due pandemic there, I agree Elena Garanina, psychologist Medical center, far Eastern Federal University (of the University — member of the “project 5-100”). Play a role and quarantine measures. As with any lifestyle change, enforced isolation has a negative impact on the psychological health of the person.
— When emotional lability (mobility, instability) for a long period of stress, and such can include forced isolation and fear for their own health and well-being of their loved ones, can cause or increase the severity of existing psychogenic diseases. To these primarily include cardiovascular pathology, she said.
the Authors plan to conduct another round of interviews after the removal of all restrictive measures relating COVID-19.
