The prevalence of depressive symptoms among older adults has increased, yet those over 50 have shown a remarkable recovery in life satisfaction and sense of purpose since the pandemic.

A team of researchers at University College London (UCL) analysed data from the long-running English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which tracked 3,999 adults aged 50 and older. While the study originally began in 1998, recent analysis focused on the years before and after the pandemic, measuring participants' happiness, life satisfaction, eudaemonic well-being (a sense of purpose and meaning in life), and depressive symptoms.

As expected, wellbeing dipped sharply in 2020, with happiness, purpose, and life satisfaction declining – while depression rates surged. However, between 2021-2023, wellbeing steadily improved and exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

"The pandemic had a profound effect on the wellbeing of older people in England, but we can only speculate on the reasons," explained Paola Zaninotto, lead author and professor of medical and social statistics at UCL.

"It could reflect a renewed appreciation for social connections and meaningful activities, as well as increased psychological resilience after a period of adversity," she said. "Improved health security following widespread vaccinations could also have contributed to this positive shift."

Despite these improvements, depression rates did not return to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting that the mental health impact of Covid lingers for many older adults. The study also found notable differences based on age and wealth, with those in their 50s reporting lower wellbeing than those in their 60s and 70s. Surprisingly, affluent individuals experienced a greater decline in wellbeing than those with fewer financial resources.

"We saw marked differences by age and affluence, underscoring the importance of tailored support policies for the immediate and lingering effects of pandemics on the wellbeing of our older population," Zaninotto added.

While the findings provide valuable insight into the resilience of older adults, it's worth noting that the study's participants were predominantly white and around 50% were retired, meaning the results may not fully represent the diverse experiences of the wider population.

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