The effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of senior citizens and high school students

Abstract

Mental health disorders are a leading health issue among adults and teenagers. Public health organizations and governments have highlighted an increase in mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research uses a survey of 83 students and 95 senior citizens to understand the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. The results indicate that COVID-19 has negatively affected the mental health of students, seniors living in nursing homes and, to a lesser extent, seniors living at home. The impact is greater for external factors than internal factors for students and seniors living in nursing homes. These results have implications for future research on online education, social media usage, and other forms of technologies that limit in-person interactions. The results also indicate that it is important for public health policy to weigh the benefits of various restrictions against the detrimental effects such restrictions have on mental health.

Keywords

• mental health
• covid-19
• students
• senior citizens
• internal factors
• external factors