Sport, physical activity and social health in older adults. Caring with technology in the COVID-19 pandemic

Health-related behavioral changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comparison between cohorts of French and Italian university students

This cross-sectional observational study compares the health behaviors of university students in France and Italy, examining how their choices and lifestyles were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with the aim of contributing to the development of adequate public health and higher education institutions interventions. The French cohort was investigated between January and February 2022, while the Italian cohort was examined between March and April 2022. In both contexts, data were collected through web surveys using institutional directories of university degree programs. Data were collected using standardized tools, validated and recovered in full or partial form. The tool used consisted of three specific sections (general experience, eating habits, physical activity), to which a fourth, dedicated to describing the sociographic picture of the respondents, was added. It was found that the pandemic mainly affected the mental health and sense of well-being of young people in both countries. The pandemic altered dietary habits (41.8% of the French subjects and 38.3% of the Italians declared an increasing of their food intake), alcohol consumption (9.0% of the Italian respondents and 4.0% of the French respondents reported an increased alcohol consumption), propensity to smoke (among the French 85.3% subjects remained non-smokers versus 65.3% of the Italian subjects), sleep quality (25.7% of Italian students 16.6% of French students experienced a decline in the quality of their sleep), and physical activity levels (the percentage of physically active French subjects rose to 72.4%, whereas among Italian students, it dropped to 68,4%). The results emphasize the need for the implementation of relational and psychological interventions, even digital, to face the consequences of social isolation and negative changes in everyday behaviors due to the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The impact of COVID-19 on the psychosocial well-being of older adults: A literature review

INTRODUCTION

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic in 2020 with the greatest risk to older adults. Prolonged restrictions and isolation threaten the social and emotional welfare of vulnerable groups with concerns focused on the long-term impact of this pandemic on the health and well-being of aging populations.

PURPOSE

Using the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (STT) as a conceptual framework, the purpose of this literature review was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the psychological and social well-being of older adults.

METHODS

Numerous academic and healthcare-related databases were searched to yield 24 relevant primary research articles, published during the pandemic (2020-2022), for analysis.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

Overall results indicated the pandemic had a significant negative affect on the psychological and social well-being of older adults to include those with cognitive impairments and dementia despite perceptions of reduced awareness. There were significant differences between age groups with older adults reporting greater emotional stability and coping skills than younger cohorts. Although supportive services and the use of technology-enhanced well-being these resources were reduced during the pandemic due to lack of trained staff, funding, and other socioeconomic or political barriers. The SST proposes that feelings of satisfaction, a sense of belonging, and purpose are important for emotional well-being but the pandemic challenged these goals and, for many, resulted in stress, anxiety, and depression.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Healthcare providers and policymakers need to be aware of the negative consequences triggered by the prolonged pandemic and take measures to provide services that support the psychosocial well-being of older adults.