The effect of pre-pandemic PTSD and depression symptoms on mental distress among older adults during COVID-19

Objectives: To explore the extent that pre-COVID-19 comorbid PTSD-depression symptoms prospectively predict mental distress among older adults during COVID-19. Methods: We used the Israeli component of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE Israel), and focused on older adults who participated in 2015 and 2020 and were aged 60 years old or above in 2020 (N = 754). Mental distress was measured via symptoms of depression, feeling anxious\nervous, and loneliness. Results: Older adults who suffered from PTSD-depression comorbidity prior to the pandemic showed the highest risk of feeling more depressed, anxious\nervous, and lonelier than those with no pre-pandemic symptoms. Conclusions: This study suggests that it would be beneficial to prioritize those older adults with a comorbid PTSDdepression diagnosis for interventions, as they are at the highest risk for mental distress in the event of a new stressor.