The Causal Model of Coronavirus Anxiety in the Elderly Based on Perceived Stress and Sense of Cohesion: The Mediating Role of Perceived Social Support

Abstract

The spread of the Coronavirus is a challenge for healthcare systems all around the world. The elderly are at high risk for complications from Coronavirus due to low immune system function and underlying diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the causal modeling of Corona anxiety in the elderly based on perceived stress and sense of cohesion with the mediating role of perceived social support. The research method was descriptive, of structural equations type. The statistical population included all the elderly living in nursing homes in Ardabil in 2020, from which 160 were selected using purposive sampling. Used to collect data were Alipour et al.'s Corona Anxiety Scale, Sense of Coherence- 13 scale of Antonovsky, Calhoun et al.'s Perceived Stress Scale, and Zimet et al.'s Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Data were analyzed by structural equation modeling using SPSS-23 and Lisrel 8.8 software. Based on the obtained results, the causal model confirmed the relationship between perceived stress, sense of cohesion, perceived social support and corona anxiety in the elderly based on different fitness indices (P<0.05). Perceived stress, sense of cohesion, and perceived social support had a direct effect on corona anxiety in the elderly. Besides, perceived stress and sense of cohesion had an indirect effect on corona anxiety in the elderly through perceived social support (P<0.05). Thus, in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, it is possible to play an important role in reducing coronary anxiety in the elderly by informing and applying measures to empower the elderly in the areas of perceived stress, sense of cohesion, and perceived social support.