Psychosocial Factors and Quality of Life in Older Adults Discharged After Isolation Due to COVID-19 Infection

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the impact of psychosocial factors on quality of life (QoL) of older adults hospitalized and isolated after contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Method: Data were collected between April 30 and June 18, 2022, from 117 discharged older adults who were in isolation for COVID-19 treatment in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Results: Of participants, 33.3% were at high risk for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and 21.4% of participants were identified as having severe depressive symptoms. Participants' QoL negatively correlated with PTSS, depressive symptoms, and fear of social stigma. Depressive symptoms were the primary psychosocial factor identified as significantly affecting QoL (β = −0.682, p < 0.001), and the explanatory power of the regression model was 41.2%. Conclusion: To enhance QoL of older adults who have experienced hospitalization and isolation due to COVID-19, identifying pertinent psychosocial factors, especially depressive symptoms, is necessary. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50 (8), 29–36.]