Material hardship and mental health among older Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective: Mental health issues among older adults have been widely reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the relationship between material hardship and three mental health measures among older Americans. Method: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study collected between 2020 and 2021. Respondents ages ≥ 50 years (𝑁 = 1,504) reported whether they had experienced seven types of material hardship (e.g., missed rent or mortgage payments) and self-assessed their mental health (i.e., depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness). We used confounder-adjusted regression models to examine the associations of the sum and each specific type of material hardship with mental health. Results: About 26% of respondents (mean age = 69.36, 65% female, 63% non-Hispanic white) experienced at least one type of material hardship during the pandemic. The number of material hardships was associated with more depressive symptoms and higher levels of anxiety and loneliness. Among the types of difficulties, having trouble buying food was negatively associated with mental health scores. Conclusion: Material hardship during the pandemic, especially food insecurity, was a significant mental health stressor among older Americans. Targeted supportive interventions and services for disadvantaged older adults may mitigate mental health burdens during public health crises, such as pandemics.
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