Understanding the Impact of Social Engagement Activities, Health Protocol Maintenance, and Social Interaction on Depression During Covid-19 Pandemic Among Older Americans

Objectives Depression is a critical public health concern among older Americans. However, little is known about how older adults’ social engagement activities, health protocol maintenance, and social interaction (both physically and virtually) potentially contribute to their feelings of depression. Methods Data were collected from the Covid-19 supplement to the National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS) and core longitudinal follow-up study. A total of 3,181 Medicare-eligible older adults between June and December 2020 were examined how self-reported depression is related to social engagement activities, health protocols, social interaction with friends and family (F&F), and doctors using multiple logistic regression. Results This study reveals that the lack of social engagement activities, such as birthday parties and long-term care visits significantly contributes to older adults’ depression (OR: 1.34, 90% CI: 1.07-1.68, p=0.012, and OR: 1.28, 90% CI: 1.01-1.65, p=0.053 respectively). Subsequently, health protocols compliance with washing hands and wearing masks in public places were more likely 2.36 times and 3.44 times higher symptoms of depression for the older adults than those who were not maintaining those protocols (OR: 2.36, 90% CI: 1.24-4.57, p=0.009, OR: 3.44, 90% CI: 1.97-6.17, p<0.001 respectively). Furthermore, the lack of virtual social interaction via phone and text message with F&F is significantly related to depression whereas email or video call are not significantly related to depression for older adults. During Covid-19 pandemic, in-person visits with doctors significantly reduced patients’ depression on the other hand email communication significantly increased. However other virtual interactions with doctors did not significantly associate with patients’ depression. Conclusion The lack of social engagement, maintaining health protocols, and lacking virtual interactions over the phone significantly increase depression symptoms for older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, it would be beneficial to take initiative to engage older adults in a variety of social activities to make them feel more connected to their community. The older population should be contacted by phone during the Covid-19 pandemic with encouraging messages and informed of the importance of maintaining health protocols.