Mediation effect of coping strategies on general psychological health among middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Malek Rivan NF 1 , Shahar S 2 , Singh DKA 3 , Ibrahim N 4 , Mat Ludin AF 5 , Yahya HM 1 Show all authors , Mohamed Sakian NI 6 , Mahadzir H 7 , Subramaniam P 4 , Kamaruddin MZA 8

Affiliations 

  • 1 Nutritional Sciences Programme and Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Dietetics Programme and Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 Physiotherapy Programme and Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 4 Clinical Psychology Programme and Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 5 Biomedical Science Programme and Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 6 Occupational Therapy Programme, Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 7 Internal Medicine and Geriatric Department, Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 8 Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Aging Ment Health, 2021 Sep 06.
PMID: 34486885 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1972281

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to assess general psychological health, associated factors, and the potential of coping strategies as a mediator for middle-aged and older Malaysian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A total of 535 individuals aged 52 years and above from the previous cohort and interventional studies in Peninsular Malaysia were contacted during the Movement Control Order (MCO) issued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telephonic interviews were conducted to obtain participant information concerning socio-demography, physical activity, subjective well-being (SWB) as assessed using flourishing scale, coping strategies, and general psychological health (GHQ-12). Simple linear regression (SLR) and multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with GHQ-12. The associated factors were further analysed using mediation analysis to determine the potential of coping strategies as a mediator.

RESULTS: It was observed that participants had a low mean GHQ-12 score (M = 0.80, SD = 2.19), indicating good psychological health. Living arrangement, physical activity, and flourishing scale were associated with psychological health (R2 = 0.412, p 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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