Age differences in experiencing negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: A latent class analysis

This study examined the types of negative COVID-19 impacts across multiple domains, the age differences in identified class membership, and how the impact of COVID-19 on social relationships moderated such age differences. Data used were from a cross-sectional survey conducted by the research team concerning individuals who had experienced tornadoes in Texas, Tennessee, and Alabama, USA. Data collection took place between October 2020 and August 2021, and the respondents were asked about their experience of recent tornadoes and the COVID-19 pandemic via online platform, mail-in-survey, or telephone interview. Latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression were performed based on a sample of 1080 adults. Three latent classes were identified: class 1 “low overall impacts”, class 2 “moderate overall impacts with high emotional distress”, and class 3 “severe overall impacts”. Compared to those aged 65–74, people aged 18–34, 35–49, and 50–64 had higher odds of being in the “severe overall impacts” class versus “low overall impacts” class. Individuals whose relationship with family had been positively impacted by COVID-19 had lower odds of being in the “severe overall impacts” class over “low overall impacts” class. Positive COVID-19 influence on relationships with friends/colleagues and community were respectively more important for those aged 65 to 74 than for those aged 75+ in lowering the likelihood of being in the “severe overall impacts” class versus “low overall impacts” class. Results highlighted the strengths and heterogeneity of older adults and the importance of social relationships in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health disasters.