Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35765017›Full record

ArticleBMC psychiatry2022

Psychological reactions to the coronavirus pandemic: a comparative study of Holocaust survivors and other older adults in Israel.

Sara Carmel, Yaacov G Bachner, Ella Cohn-Schwartz

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychiatry, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Sara CarmelCenter for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel. sara@bgu.ac.il.
Yaacov G BachnerCenter for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Ella Cohn-SchwartzCenter for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe current study examines psychological reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults living in Israel. Based on the 'life events, stress, coping and health theory,' we hypothesized that due to their traumatic early life history and dearth of emotional and physical coping resources, Holocaust survivors would be more vulnerable than other older adults to the negative effects of this difficult and prolonged life event on their mental health.

methodsBased on structured questionnaires with closed questions, we interviewed 306 Holocaust survivors and non-survivors aged 75 + during the COVID-19 pandemic.

resultsUnivariate data analysis showed that Holocaust survivors had fewer coping resources in terms of health status and educational level than non-survivors. As expected, Holocaust survivors also reported a greater extent of COVID-19-related anxiety, and more depression, which worsened during the pandemic. However, both groups did not differ in their will to live, which is an indicator of general well-being and commitment to continue living. In multivariate analyses conducted to explain COVID-19 anxiety in the entire sample and separately on each of the two groups, the best explanatory variables were other psychological variables especially increased depression.

conclusionsIt seems that Holocaust survivors are more emotionally vulnerable to the pandemic's negative effects than other older adults, in support of the 'life events, stress, coping and health theory,' but despite this, they show resilience in their will to continue living. Policy makers and practitioners are recommended to identify Holocaust survivors and other vulnerable older people and investigate their specific needs. Interventions should include practices for maintaining and boosting resilience and well-being by increasing appropriate emotional and cognitive internal and external coping resources, especially during prolonged periods of hardship.

Indexed as

COVID-19HolocaustAgedHumansIsraelPandemicsSurvivorsAnxietyCoping resourcesCOVID-19Holocaust survivorsMental healthOlder adults

Identifiers

PMID35765017
PMCPMC9238250

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