Factors associated with depression in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected the physical and mental health of older adults worldwide. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with depression among older adults during the pandemic and to develop strategies to enhance their psychological well-being. Methods: Data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) collected during the COVID-19 pandemic were compared with pre-pandemic data (Wave 5). We examined the impact of the pandemic on depressive symptoms in older adults and investigated potential influencing factors related to depression, including lifestyle changes, COVID-19 concern and protective behaviors, and psychological assessments. Results: The prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in older adults was significantly higher after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-pandemic Wave 5 (p < 0.001). The rates of difficulty falling asleep and early awakening increased significantly, whereas the time spent on anaerobic exercise, aerobic exercise, and slow walking decreased markedly (all p < 0.001). Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the model including predictors such as age, gender, Perceived Stress Scale score, UCLA Loneliness Scale score, difficulty falling asleep, early awakening, sleep duration, days of anaerobic exercise, days of aerobic exercise, and days of slow walking was statistically significant (F = 165.241, p < 0.001, R = 0.734, R² = 0.539, adjusted R² = 0.536), explaining 53.9% of the variance in depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic might be associated with an increase in depressive symptoms among older adults. This exacerbation is closely linked to lifestyle changes (sleep disturbances and reduced physical activity), psychological factors (heightened stress and loneliness), and certain information-seeking behaviors. These findings underscore the need for integrated interventions that target these modifiable risk factors.