Abstract

Objectives: Using nationally representative data among U.S. adults, we assess age differences in changes in mental health both from 2018 to May 2020 and during the pandemic. We also examine factors explaining age differences in mental health.

Methods: We analyzed 2018 General Social Survey data (N = 2,348; age 18–89) and three waves of COVID Response Tracking Study data (N = 2,279; age 20–94) spanning May–August 2020. Outcomes included happiness, loneliness, stress, positive affect, and negative affect.

Results: U.S. adults reported greater loneliness and less happiness in May 2020 versus 2018. Only loneliness and negative affect changed significantly from May to August 2020, showing declines. Mental health trajectories did not differ significantly by age. Overall, older adults reported lower loneliness, stress, and negative affect than younger adults during 2020. Older age was associated with two factors linked with better mental health: less likelihood of COVID-19 exposure and greater satisfaction with social activities and relationships. However, none of the factors examined herein explained age differences in mental health.

Conclusion: Although mental health trajectories during the pandemic were similar across ages, older adults tended to report better mental health than younger adults. Future research should identify factors that explain age differences in mental health that persisted into 2020.

摘要

目标：利用美国成年人的全国代表性数据，我们评估了 2018 年至 2020 年 5 月以及大流行期间心理健康变化的年龄差异。我们还研究了解释心理健康年龄差异的因素。

方法：我们分析了 2018 年一般社会调查数据（N  = 2,348；年龄 18-89）和 2020 年 5 月至 8 月的三波新冠疫情反应跟踪研究数据（N  = 2,279；年龄 20-94）。结果包括幸福、孤独、压力、积极情绪和消极情绪。

结果：与 2018 年相比，2020 年 5 月美国成年人的孤独感更高，幸福感更少。从 2020 年 5 月到 8 月，只有孤独感和负面情绪发生了显着变化，呈现下降趋势。心理健康轨迹随年龄的变化没有显着差异。总体而言，2020 年，老年人的孤独感、压力和负面影响低于年轻人。年龄较大与心理健康状况良好的两个因素有关：接触 COVID-19 的可能性较小，以及对社交活动和人际关系的满意度较高。然而，本文检查的因素均无法解释心理健康方面的年龄差异。

结论：尽管大流行期间各个年龄段的心理健康轨迹相似，但老年人往往比年轻人报告更好的心理健康状况。未来的研究应该确定能够解释 2020 年持续存在的心理健康年龄差异的因素。