Self-Perception of Mental Health and Exacerbated Social Inequalities Among Vulnerable Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil (2021-2023).
Letícia Perticarrara FerezinRander Junior RosaMônica Chiodi Toscano de CamposThaís Zamboni BerraHeriederson Sávio Dias MouraAriela Fehr TártaroMurilo César do NascimentoNatacha Martins RibeiroJuliana Soares Tenório de AraújoFernanda Bruzadelli Paulino da CostaReginaldo Bazon Vaz TavaresYan Mathias AlvesTitilade Kehinde Ayandeyi TeiboRegina Celia FioratiSeverina Alice da Costa UchoaRosa Maria Pinheiro SouzaIone Carvalho PintoRicardo Alexandre ArcêncioPublished in: Gerontology & geriatric medicine (2024)
This study analyzes the self-perception of mental health of socially vulnerable elderly people during the COVID-19 crisis in Brazil. Conducted across all state capitals from February 2021 to October 2023, it included 366 participants living in various conditions such as camps, street situations, slums, and communities. The average age was 66.7 years, with a majority being male (59.0%), of Black or Brown race/color (62.3%), and earning below one minimum wage (36.6%). Findings revealed that older adults in street situations, experiencing psychological manifestations like sleep disturbances due to the pandemic, tended to assess their mental health more negatively. In contrast, older men of white race/color without such manifestations, and those practicing strategies like physical activity or relaxation, were less likely to perceive their mental health as poor. Addressing housing, implementing health strategies, and recognizing sample and regional complexities are crucial interventions for older adults in street situations.