Page 117 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2021. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo / Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press
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k and economic situation and mental health of elderly adults psihologija / sociala in zdravje starejših odraslih | psychology / social and health of the elderly
in Slovenia during covid-19 pandemic
Suzana Laporšek1, Barbara Švagan1, Klemen Širok2
1 University of Primorska, Faculty of Management, Koper, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
Introduction. Globally, COVID-19 claimed the most casualties among the elder-
ly. Due to measures of social distancing, they have also experienced reduced
family support, social contacts and professional social care. Moreover, inactiv-
ity and widespread unemployment have reduced their chances to stay at work
or find a new job. As the pandemic represents an unique natural experiment,
the purpose of this research is to analyse the relationship between the COV-
ID-19 pandemic, mental health and the employment and economic situation of
working older adults in Slovenia.
Methods. The analysis of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on elderly
adults in Slovenia is based on SHARE Corona Survey microdata data for 27 EU
countries and Israel and includes data collected in the first wave of the pandem-
ic between March and June 2020. The findings based on the analysis of these
data are compared with the results of the first wave of the SI-PANDA Survey,
which was carried out in Slovenia. The surveys include data for the pandemic
period, using data from March and June 2020. The analysis focuses on two as-
pects of life of elderly adults: mental health and changes in work and econom-
ic situation.
Results. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic affected mental health
of elderly adults in Slovenia, although less when compared to younger age
groups. According to the SI-PANDA data, 30.2% and 19.8% of 50-64-year-
olds and 65-74-year-olds, respectively, reported about mental health prob-
lems, which is, however, below the average (33.9%) and significantly below the
reports for the youngest population (50.2% for the 18–29-year-olds). Interest-
ingly, when compared to the pre-COVID-19 situation, the SHARE Corona sur-
vey data show that both in Slovenia and also in other European countries the
reports of depressive diorder of elderly adults during the first wave of pandem-
ic were similar or even lower. The COVID-19 pandemic had more pronounced
effects on work and economic situation of elderly adults in Slovenia. Accord-
ing to the SHARE Corona survey data, Slovenia was among the countries with
the highest incidence of job loss (including temporary job loss) among workers
aged 50 or more, by which at most affected were women, self-employed, and
less educated workers. This had also negative effects on financial situation of
elderly adults. As shown in SI-PANDA survey data, 28.4% of 50-64-year-olds
reported of worse financial situation, which is above Slovenian average (25.1%).
Discussion and conclusions. COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis uncertainties in Slo-
venia will require decisive actions in the area of active ageing and prolongation
of work activity for elderly adults. Before embarking on the implementation of
policy measures, a deeper analysis of sources of depressive disorders should
be undertaken, with a specific focus on the impact of employment uncertainty
and the perceptions of immediate or future social security.
Keywords: elderly, pandemia, mental health
115
in Slovenia during covid-19 pandemic
Suzana Laporšek1, Barbara Švagan1, Klemen Širok2
1 University of Primorska, Faculty of Management, Koper, Slovenia
2 University of Primorska, Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
Introduction. Globally, COVID-19 claimed the most casualties among the elder-
ly. Due to measures of social distancing, they have also experienced reduced
family support, social contacts and professional social care. Moreover, inactiv-
ity and widespread unemployment have reduced their chances to stay at work
or find a new job. As the pandemic represents an unique natural experiment,
the purpose of this research is to analyse the relationship between the COV-
ID-19 pandemic, mental health and the employment and economic situation of
working older adults in Slovenia.
Methods. The analysis of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on elderly
adults in Slovenia is based on SHARE Corona Survey microdata data for 27 EU
countries and Israel and includes data collected in the first wave of the pandem-
ic between March and June 2020. The findings based on the analysis of these
data are compared with the results of the first wave of the SI-PANDA Survey,
which was carried out in Slovenia. The surveys include data for the pandemic
period, using data from March and June 2020. The analysis focuses on two as-
pects of life of elderly adults: mental health and changes in work and econom-
ic situation.
Results. The results show that the COVID-19 pandemic affected mental health
of elderly adults in Slovenia, although less when compared to younger age
groups. According to the SI-PANDA data, 30.2% and 19.8% of 50-64-year-
olds and 65-74-year-olds, respectively, reported about mental health prob-
lems, which is, however, below the average (33.9%) and significantly below the
reports for the youngest population (50.2% for the 18–29-year-olds). Interest-
ingly, when compared to the pre-COVID-19 situation, the SHARE Corona sur-
vey data show that both in Slovenia and also in other European countries the
reports of depressive diorder of elderly adults during the first wave of pandem-
ic were similar or even lower. The COVID-19 pandemic had more pronounced
effects on work and economic situation of elderly adults in Slovenia. Accord-
ing to the SHARE Corona survey data, Slovenia was among the countries with
the highest incidence of job loss (including temporary job loss) among workers
aged 50 or more, by which at most affected were women, self-employed, and
less educated workers. This had also negative effects on financial situation of
elderly adults. As shown in SI-PANDA survey data, 28.4% of 50-64-year-olds
reported of worse financial situation, which is above Slovenian average (25.1%).
Discussion and conclusions. COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis uncertainties in Slo-
venia will require decisive actions in the area of active ageing and prolongation
of work activity for elderly adults. Before embarking on the implementation of
policy measures, a deeper analysis of sources of depressive disorders should
be undertaken, with a specific focus on the impact of employment uncertainty
and the perceptions of immediate or future social security.
Keywords: elderly, pandemia, mental health
115
