The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected the mental health and well-being of individuals. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the perceived fear of COVID-19 among older adults in Poland and identify subpopulations with the highest risk of potential mental health disorders. The study was conducted in November–December 2020 on 500 people aged ≥60 years (mean M = 67.9, standard deviation SD = 4.2). In order to collect information on participants’ characteristics and COVID-19-related information, they were asked to complete a questionnaire based on recorded telephone calls. Perceived fear of COVID-19 was measured using our generated and validated seven-item tool: “Scale of fear of COVID-19 infection”, which ranged from 7 to 35. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify factors associated with the perceived fear of COVID-19. Our results showed that the highest level of fear of COVID-19 infection was observed among women ( p = 0.025) and patients taking anticoagulants ( p = 0.004). Moreover, older adults with higher anxiety levels were more likely to be fearful of COVID-19 (according to the GAS-10 scale; p < 0.001). These findings may help policy makers and healthcare workers to adapt and implement better mental health strategies to help the elderly fight fear and anxiety during the prevailing pandemic.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Older adults, media, fear, Health anxiety, 【초록키워드】 pandemic, Anxiety, mental health, cross-sectional, COVID-19 pandemic, risk, Poland, healthcare worker, Characteristics, COVID-19 infection, Patient, Linear regression, women, information, questionnaire, mental health disorders, Anticoagulant, Standard deviation, Older, Factor, help, Multiple, subpopulation, Complete, was measured, highest, identify, affected, conducted, was performed, individuals, recorded, ranged, asked, Perceived, 【제목키워드】 elderly, assessment,