Self-neglect Among Older Adults with Disabilities in Liaoning Province During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-sectional Study

Overview

Journal Front Psychol

Date 2023 Jan 9

PMID 36619127

Authors

Li Dong

Longfeng Sun

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Self-neglect among older adults is a well-recognized public health issue. During the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), older adults with disabilities may be at increased risk for self-neglect. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-neglect and associated factors among older adults with disabilities in Liaoning Province during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2021 to April 2021. A convenience sample of 230 older adults with disabilities filled out questionnaires that collected data on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics alongside data using the Barthel Index (BI), the Elder Self-Neglect Assessment (ESNA), the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Results: The overall self-neglect rate was 86%. The study revealed that self-neglect correlates positively with the degree of disability ( < 0.001) and depressive symptoms ( < 0.001). In contrast, monthly income ( = 0.002) and perceived social support ( = 0.001) were negatively associated with self-neglect.

Conclusion: During the COVID-19 outbreak, self-neglect has been a serious public health problem among older adults with disabilities. Lower monthly income, decreased physical function, depressive symptoms, and perceptions of poor social support contributed to self-neglect among older adults with disabilities.

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