Estado afectivo de adultos y adultos mayores de Ecuador durante la pandemia COVID-19: Diferencias relacionadas al grupo etario.

Abstract

Abstract:The objective of this study was to determine age-related differences in the affective state of adults and older adults (OA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample was constituted by 300 Ecuadorian adults and 300 Ecuadorian OA. The Geriatric Depression Scale and an Ad Hoc sociodemographic survey were applied. The adults were 64.7% male, with an average age of 37.25 years ±11.50, and 52% had a partner. In OA 54% were women, mean age 75.33 years ±7.77, and 63.3% did not have a partner.It was obtained that: established depression was higher in OA (16%) than in adults (12.3%); the most frequent symptoms in adults were worry (63.3%) and anhedonia (59.45%); and in OA, anhedonia (75.2%) and low energy level (52.5%). In Yesavage, the symptoms that lost sensitivity in the context of the pandemic were: in adults, worry and apathy; in OA, apathy and memory problems. These results reflect the need to promote affective stability in times ofcrisis.