What does this research mean for the field?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, middle-aged and older adults experienced a notable rise in negative mental health outcomes driven by multidimensional demographic and socioeconomic factors, with signs of stabilization emerging during the transition to the endemic phase. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To map changes in mental health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and identify associated multidimensional risk factors.

August 29, 2026PLoS ONEOpen Access

Changes in mental health outcomes of middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

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Authors

SSShristi SharmaWestern University HEHiba ElhassanWestern University KAKelly K. AndersonWestern University

Discussion

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Implication

Scoping review reveals worsening mental health and subsequent stabilization in middle-aged and older adults, highlighting the need for long-term psychological monitoring.

Key Points

To map changes in mental health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and identify associated multidimensional risk factors.
Synthesized findings from 44 population-based studies identified across six electronic databases.
Evaluated mental health trajectories across the global spread phase (May 2020–December 2021) and the transition toward the endemic phase (2022–2023).
Depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, distress, and loneliness increased markedly during the initial spread phase, followed by signs of stabilization or improvement during the 2022–2023 transition period.
Worsening mental health was linked to female sex, older age, marriage, unemployment, lower education, higher income, poor physical health, limited exercise, perceived threat of COVID-19, and social isolation.

Cite This Study

Sharma et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a92995f8e5d7d1fc0c11399 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0342140

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Implication

Scoping review reveals worsening mental health and subsequent stabilization in middle-aged and older adults, highlighting the need for long-term psychological monitoring.

Changes in mental health outcomes of middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Changes in mental health outcomes of middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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