Department of Sociology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
J Aging Health. 2023 Oct;35(9):607-622. doi: 10.1177/08982643221112141. Epub 2022 Jul 1.
This study examined age differences in mental health problems (depression and anxiety) during the COVID-19 pandemic using nationally representative data from the United States. Drawing from a life course perspective, we also assessed if a secure attachment to God conditioned the relationship between age and mental health. Data were from the 2021 Values and Beliefs of the American Public Study ( = 1168), collected roughly 1 year into the pandemic. Older adults (61 years and over) reported lower depression and anxiety than respondents 18-30 years of age. However, stronger perceptions of attachment to God significantly closed the age gap in anxiety between these age groups. Though absolute levels of religiosity tend to be higher for older adults, secure attachment to God was more protective of the mental health of younger adults during the pandemic. We reflect on our findings through a life course lens.
本研究使用来自美国的全国代表性数据，考察了 COVID-19 大流行期间心理健康问题（抑郁和焦虑）的年龄差异。借鉴生命历程的观点，我们还评估了对上帝的安全依恋是否调节了年龄与心理健康之间的关系。数据来自 2021 年美国公众价值观和信仰研究（n = 1168），大约在大流行开始后的一年收集。与 18-30 岁的受访者相比，老年人（61 岁及以上）报告的抑郁和焦虑程度较低。然而，对与上帝的依恋的感知越强，这两个年龄组之间的焦虑年龄差距就越小。尽管老年人的宗教信仰水平往往更高，但在大流行期间，对上帝的安全依恋对年轻人的心理健康更具保护作用。我们通过生命历程的视角来反思我们的发现。
