Anxiety in Late Life: The Experience of Jamaican Urban Community Dwelling Older Adults

Objective: This study evaluated Jamaican community dwelling older adults ' levels of anxiety and the predictors of such anxiety. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, participants aged 65 years and over were selected from urban lower-middle and working-class communities. Data collection tools were the geriatric anxiety scale (GAS) and a demographic questionnaire. Using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The GAS data was skewed, hence a log transformation was performed to obtain a normal distribution prior to analysis. Cronbach's alpha indicated a high level of internal consistency for the GAS in this group of participants. Results: One hundred and fourteen persons participated in the study. Results overall showed a low level of anxiety (GAS mean score = 9.2 +/- 8.3). Persons who were female (p = 0.01), had primary level education only (p = 0.02). unemployed (p = 0.01), were lonely (p = 0.00) and had poor relationships with their adult children (p = 0.05) had higher mean GAS scores, indicating higher levels of anxiety. Predictor variables for anxiety were identified as, loneliness. gender and education. Together, these variables predicted 23% of the variability in GAS scores (R2 - 0.233. R - 0.48, p - 0.04). Conclusion: Anxiety levels are low in Jamaican older adults. Females with primary level education who are lonely are at greatest risk. Investigation of other factors such as religion is necessary, as the factors explored in this study, accounted for only 23% of the variance in GAS scores.