Background: Depression affected 5.7% of people aged 60 years and over prior to the pandemic and has increased by approximately 28%. The aim of this study is to identify and describe factors associated with depressive symptoms, the diagnostic assessment instruments and interventions used to evaluate and treat depression in adults aged 60 years and older since the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods: Four electronic databases were systematically searched to identify eligible studies published since the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic. A total of 832 articles were screened, of which 53 met the inclusion criteria. Results: Factors contributing to depressive symptoms in older adults prior to the pandemic were grouped into the following categories: sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., being female); loneliness and weak social support; limitations in daily functioning, physical activity and neurocognitive impairment; and clinical factors. The following groups of factors directly related to the pandemic were found: stress‐related factors and feelings or worries related to the pandemic; information access (e.g., receiving news about COVID‐19 through the media); factors directly related to COVID‐19 (e.g., having infected acquaintances); and factors related to the measures that were taken to reduce the spread of COVID‐19 (e.g., confinement measures). The most frequently used instrument to assess depressive symptoms was the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form (GDS‐SF). Four studies implemented interventions during the pandemic that led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms and feelings of loneliness. Conclusions: Improved understanding of pandemic‐associated risk factors for depression can inform person‐cantered care. It is important continued mental healthcare for depression for older adults throughout crises, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. Remote delivery of mental healthcare represents an important alternative during such times. It is crucial to address depression in older adults (which often causes disability), since the pandemic situation has increased depressive symptoms in this population.

Background. The mental health of university students has worsened over time, and it is young people who have suffered the most from the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of mental health. Anxiety and depression are the most common symptoms reported by university students and are often the cause of disabilities, either in academic performance or in other spheres of life. Aim. The aim of this study was to both assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in Portuguese university students and analyze the factors associated with these symptoms. Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional study with a sample of 3,399 university students from seven Portuguese higher education institutions was conducted. The following questionnaires were used: the generalized anxiety disorder assessment scale (GAD-7), the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a study-created sociodemographic questionnaire. The Kendall correlation coefficient, chi-square test of independence, Spearman correlation coefficient, Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann–Whitney-Wilcoxon test, and Kruskall-Wallis test were used to analyze the association between variables. The statistical analysis was done using the software R Statistics (Version 4.0.4), using a significance level of 0.05. Results. Mild to severe anxiety symptoms were reported by 75% of the participants, and 61.2% described mild to severe depressive symptoms. Of the sample, 19.5% reported a previous diagnosis of a mental disorder, with 38.7% diagnosed after the pandemic began. Additionally, 23% reported taking medication for mental health issues, and 26.7% had considered self-harm or harbored thoughts of being “better off dead.” The study found lower anxiety and depressive symptoms ( ) among men, students with higher socioeconomic status, those who frequently traveled home, individuals without prior mental health diagnoses, those with better academic performance, and those who avoided substances like coffee, tobacco, cannabis, and other illegal psychoactive substances. Interestingly, students in romantic relationships exhibited more anxiety symptoms ( ). Moreover, participants who believed they had experienced moral or sexual harassment displayed higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms ( ). Conclusions. There was a decrease in the mental health of university students after the pandemic compared to prepandemic studies, and the proportion of students with anxiety and depressive symptoms was alarming. There is an urgent need to implement programs in universities to promote students’ mental health.

The global ageing population faces rising depression rates due to social, economic, and health changes. Depression in older adults, often linked to isolation and health issues, requires comprehensive care. Psychotherapeutic interventions could be effective in reducing symptoms, offering personalized and holistic support. Particularly low-threshold interventions, such as those offered in community-dwelling older adults, which older adults can easily access and which may reduce stigma, promise to close the treatment gap. This review examines community-based psychotherapeutic interventions for older adults with depression. Methods: This review investigates psychotherapeutic interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in older adults in a community setting. RCTs were assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute tools. The following databases were searched: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MedicLatina, MEDLINE with Full Text, and the Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection. Results: A meta-analysis of 13 studies with 1528 participants showed a medium, significant pooled effect size at post-intervention (Hedges’ g = −0.36, p < 0.001) and substantial heterogeneity. Follow-up analysis of studies indicated a small, non-significant effect (Hedges’ g = −0.17, p = 0.27). Group interventions, particularly the “reminiscence protocol”, had the largest significant effect. Discussion: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that in community-dwelling older adults’ group psychotherapeutic interventions, particularly the “reminiscence protocol” and “modified behavioral activation treatment” are most effective for reducing depressive symptoms. Individual psychotherapeutic interventions like “prevention of suicide in primary care elderly” and “behavioral activation” also show effectiveness, with group psychotherapeutic interventions being generally more effective than when these treatments are offered in individual psychotherapeutic interventions. Conclusion: Group and individual psychotherapeutic interventions reduce depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults, with group psychotherapeutic interventions being more effective.

Our study aims to estimate the prevalence of depressive symptomatology among older adults and to assess their association with loneliness and quality of life according to institutionalisation status in a Portuguese sample. Background: The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2050, the world’s population over 60 will number two billion people, which poses complex challenges in terms of maintaining the mental health of older adults. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of depressive symptoms in this population, but the post-pandemic phase has not yet been studied much. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2023 among institutionalised and non-institutionalised older adults (total n = 525; institutionalised = 458; non-institutionalised = 67) who were selected by convenience sampling. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the presence of depressive symptoms, the WHOQOL-BREF to assess perceived quality of life and the Loneliness Scale (UCLA) to assess negative feelings of loneliness. Unconditional logistic regression models were fitted to compute crude adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and the respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for the association between sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics and depressive symptomatology, according to institutionalisation status. The final model was adjusted for sex, age, QoL and feelings of loneliness. Results: Of the 525 participants, 74.6% of the non-institutionalised participants had no or minimal depressive symptoms, while 55.4% of the institutionalised participants fell into this category. Mild to moderately severe depressive symptoms were present in 25.4% of the non-institutionalised participants. 26.9% of the institutionalised participants had mild symptoms, 11.8% had moderate symptoms, 3.9% had moderately severe symptoms, and 2.0% had severe depressive symptoms. Overall, a higher quality of life was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. Participants describing feelings of loneliness were more likely also to present depressive symptoms (OR = 78.10; 95%CI 2.90–2106.08 and OR = 3.53; 95%CI 1.72–6.91 for non-institutionalised and institutionalised older adults, respectively), independently of institutionalisation status. Conclusions: The prevalence of depressive symptoms is high in older adults, which means that it has not decreased after the increase seen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A lower perception of quality of life and the presence of negative feelings of loneliness are associated with the presence of depressive symptoms. These conclusions suggest that plans should be developed to intervene in the dimensions of depressive symptoms, perceived quality of life and negative feelings of loneliness.

Introduction Depression is a common mental disorder and is a major cause of years lived with disability. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in the prevalence of depression worldwide. Our aim is to identify and synthesise the determinants of depression, the diagnostic assessment tools used to evaluate depression, and the interventions carried out since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the population aged 60 and older. Methods and analysis A systematic review of the literature will be conducted. The following databases will be searched: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MedicLatina, MEDLINE with Full Text, and Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection. The search strategy will include the following Medical Subject Headings or similar terms: “Depression”, “Depressive Disorder”, “Depressive Symptoms”, “Older Adults”, “Aging”, “Elderly”, Pandemic” and “COVID-19”. Two independent reviewers will ascertain whether the resulting articles meet inclusion and exclusion criteria, and perform the analysis of data quality. Disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer. All studies reported between December 2019 and March 2022 meeting the following criteria will be included: studies in adults aged 60 and over, and articles written in English, Portuguese, Spanish or German. Information on determinants of depression, assessment instruments used to assess depressive symptoms and/or interventions to decrease depression are reported. Studies will not be excluded based on geographical area study context (eg, community, culture or specific environment). All studies related to diagnostic assessment, care planning and/or intervention strategies specifically for older adults with depression will be included. Ethics and dissemination As only secondary data will be analysed, no ethical approval is required for this study. This scientific article is a systematic review protocol for which data have not yet been extracted or analysed. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022299775.

Background: The aging population is increasing, leading to a greater need for home care for older adults, often provided by informal caregivers (ICs). These caregivers face numerous challenges, requiring adequate training and support. Objectives: This study aimed to map the main interventions performed by the Rehabilitation Nursing Specialist in empowering ICs of older adults at home. Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The search included seven articles published between 2019 and 2024, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, available in the PubMed e CINHAL Ultimate databases. The descriptors used were (Rehabilitation Nursing) AND (Informal Caregivers OR Caregivers) AND (Elderly OR Aged) AND (mentoring OR Training. Results: The RNS interventions focused on training caregivers in technical skills (e.g., positioning, transfers, hygiene care, feeding, medication administration), preventing caregiver burden, managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, promoting self-care, and emotional support. Educational programs and the use of technologies (telehealth) were identified as effective strategies. Conclusions: RNS interventions are crucial for enhancing the skills and well-being of ICs, improving the quality of care provided to older adults at home, and reducing caregiver burden. Person-centered care, continuous support, and recognizing the caregiver’s role are fundamental aspects of these interventions.