Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.5
3.4
Journals
Healthcare
Special Issues
Mental Health in Older People
share announcement

Mental Health in Older People

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2026 | Viewed by 10869

Editors

Dr. Francisco Sampaio

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nursing School of Porto, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
Interests: psychiatric nursing; mental health; psychotherapy; anxiety; psychometrics; taxonomies
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Lia Sousa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
School of Health of Vale do Ave, Department of Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Health of the North/CESPU, 4760-409 Vila Nova de Famalicao, Portugal
Interests: mental health; cognition; family caregivers; dementia; elderly
Dr. Odete Araújo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
1. School of Nursing, University of Minho, Nursing Research Centre, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
2. Health Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA: E), Nursing School of Coimbra (ESEnfC), 3045-043 Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: mental health literacy; aging; family caregivers; cognitive decline
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The promotion of mental health in the elderly is crucial in the context of an aging population. As life expectancy rises, mental health challenges such as loneliness, social isolation, and the effects of retirement and the loss of loved ones become more prevalent. These factors contribute to risks such as depression and anxiety. Enhancing mental health at this stage involves prevention, emotional support, and the strengthening of social networks. It is important for healthcare services to implement integrated policies in order to improve the quality of life and autonomy of the elderly.

The following Special Issue, entitled "Mental Health in Older People", welcomes contributions that explore psychological challenges, innovative approaches to prevention and treatment, and the role of social, economic, and environmental factors. It will also address aging-related transitions and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving mental health services and support systems. We seek to foster interdisciplinary research that enhances the well-being of older adults.

Additionally, we encourage studies exploring innovative technologies, such as social robots, as a means to enhance emotional and social support for older adults, complementing existing approaches to mental health promotion and care. We welcome the submission of original research articles and reviews that address topics such as the promotion of mental health in the elderly, frailty syndrome, mental health issues in the elderly, and nursing interventions that improve the mental health of the elderly.

Dr. Francisco Sampaio
Guest Editor

Dr. Lia Sousa
Dr. Odete Araújo
Guest Editor Assistants

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • aged
  • mental health
  • health promotion
  • frailty
  • geriatric psychiatry
  • caregivers

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 239 KB  
Article
Facilitators and Barriers to Accessing Mental Health Care for Older Adults Who Are Primary Care Users in Chile: A Focus Group Study
by Ximena Moreno, Paula García and Martín Huerta
Healthcare 2026, 14(10), 1341; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14101341 - 14 May 2026
Viewed by 371
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mental health conditions are highly prevalent among older adults, and they are associated with adverse health trajectories. There is a considerable gap in mental health care access in this group. It is important to examine factors that affect mental health care [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Mental health conditions are highly prevalent among older adults, and they are associated with adverse health trajectories. There is a considerable gap in mental health care access in this group. It is important to examine factors that affect mental health care access from the perspective of older adults. This study aimed to understand factors that affect mental health care access from the perspective of older adults who are primary care users in Chile. Methods: Sixty-two people aged 62 to 88 participated in eight focus groups (5–11 participants per group) conducted in community settings in Santiago. The focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Framework analysis was carried out. Results: Facilitators and barriers for accessing mental health care were organized around five themes: (1) Life transitions in older age, (2) Representations of mental health in older age, (3) Pertinence of mental health programs to older adults’ needs, (4) Organization of health services, (5) Health providers’ skills. Conclusions: From a primary care policy perspective, it is critical to move beyond mental health program availability and implement an integrated care approach with adequate funding, specialized training, and person-centered protocols. Challenges associated with life transitions and specific needs expressed by older adults should be considered in person-centered care plans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Older People)
17 pages, 1543 KB  
Article
Community as Medicine: A Qualitative Study of How Group Health Coaching and Social Connection Improve Mental Well-Being in Older Adults
by Sally C. Duplantier, Michaela G. Hayes, Noriah Sanchez-Zaragoza, Angelina I. Londoño, Erykah Hamilton, Elizabeth A. Markle and Benjamin Emmert-Aronson
Healthcare 2026, 14(4), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14040510 - 17 Feb 2026
Viewed by 2049
Abstract
Background/Objectives. Older adults in under-resourced communities experience high levels of social isolation, chronic illness, and reduced access to healthcare, which can undermine mental well-being. Open Source Wellness’s Community As Medicine® (CAM) program is an evidence-based, community-delivered, clinically integrated program that combines trauma-informed, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives. Older adults in under-resourced communities experience high levels of social isolation, chronic illness, and reduced access to healthcare, which can undermine mental well-being. Open Source Wellness’s Community As Medicine® (CAM) program is an evidence-based, community-delivered, clinically integrated program that combines trauma-informed, culturally-relevant, experiential group health coaching with social connection to improve mental and physical well-being. This qualitative study, conducted in early 2025, examined how participation in CAM supports mental well-being among older adults (age 65+) in under-resourced communities who are managing chronic physical and mental health challenges. Methods. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who completed CAM. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to explore relational and experiential processes associated with improved well-being. Findings. Participants entered CAM with internalized ageist beliefs and low expectations for personal change. As they engaged in new behaviors, experienced successes, and observed similar progress among peers, they gained motivation, confidence, and a sense of control. Four interconnected themes appear to explain the mechanisms through which CAM supports mental well-being: (1) belonging and inclusion through trust and safety; (2) personal accountability through relational accountability; (3) self-efficacy through social learning and reciprocal support; and (4) agency through positive actions. Conclusions. Findings suggest that CAM supports mental well-being by creating conditions that help older adults overcome internalized ageism and feel connected, capable, and in control of their lives. These results identify actionable strategies that community organizations and health systems can adapt to support mental well-being for older adults in under-resourced communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Older People)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 458 KB  
Article
Depressive Symptoms and Associated Factors Among Middle-Aged and Older Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Gender Differences Based on a Health Ecological Model
by Yu Zhang, Yingqi Huang, Wenhui Zhang, Ya Shi, Youtao Mou, Yuanyuan Lan, Manoj Sharma, Lei Zhang and Yong Zhao
Healthcare 2025, 13(16), 1951; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13161951 - 9 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1855
Abstract
Objectives: Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study explores their associated factors and gender differences among middle-aged and older CKD patients in China. Methods: Based on the health ecology model (HEM), this study utilized [...] Read more.
Objectives: Depressive symptoms are highly prevalent among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study explores their associated factors and gender differences among middle-aged and older CKD patients in China. Methods: Based on the health ecology model (HEM), this study utilized the 2018 cross-sectional data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to examine gender differences in CKD patients across demographic groups. A multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with depressive symptoms and gender differences among middle-aged and older patients with CKD in China. Additionally, a random forest model was constructed to rank the importance of key predictors based on the Gini index. Results: Among 1422 CKD patients, 50.35% reported depressive symptoms (42.97% of males and 59.56% of females). Factors significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms included female gender, rural residence, poor self-reported health, sleep duration < 7 h, and limitations in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). The association of smoking and ADLs on depressive symptoms in CKD patients varied considerably between genders. Self-reported health and life satisfaction were the two variables most strongly associated with depressive symptoms among CKD patients. Conclusions: The study shows that female CKD patients have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms than males. Several factors are significantly associated with depressive symptoms in patients with CKD. These findings provide valuable insights that potentially inform the development of targeted prevention and management strategies for depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older CKD patients in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Older People)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 301 KB  
Article
Loneliness and Mental Health Disorders in Older Adults Living in Portugal During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Odete Araújo, Lia Sousa, Francisco Sampaio, Cláudia Rodrigues, Nadine Correia Santos, Carlos Sequeira and Laetitia Teixeira
Healthcare 2025, 13(13), 1483; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13131483 - 20 Jun 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4692
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of the general population, particularly older adults. This study aimed to explore the association between loneliness and mental health disorders in this demographic during the pandemic. Methods: A [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of the general population, particularly older adults. This study aimed to explore the association between loneliness and mental health disorders in this demographic during the pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Portugal using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database between June and August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic (Wave 8 COVID-19 Survey), using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Results: The final sample included 836 participants, with 387 (46.4%) men and a mean age of 74.5 years (SD = 6.7). Mental health indicators revealed that 441 (52.1%) reported feelings of nervousness, 384 (45.3%) experienced sadness or depression, 349 (41.2%) encountered sleeping difficulties, and 280 (33.1%) reported experiencing loneliness often or some of the time. Increased feelings of loneliness were notably associated with women in poorer health, those with heightened fear of falling, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and concurrent health and sleep issues. Age and medication use did not significantly impact feelings of loneliness. Conclusions: The findings highlight a potential association between adverse mental health outcomes among older adults during the initial phase of the pandemic. Future research, employing longitudinal research designs, is warranted to explore these relationships more rigorously, in a post-pandemic context, and to inform effective intervention development and strategies to prevent mental health problems within this vulnerable population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Older People)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

13 pages, 619 KB  
Review
Psychometric Evidence of Instruments for Assessing Mental Health in Older Adults from Latin America and the Caribbean: A Scoping Review
by Claudia Miranda-Castillo, Stella-Maria Paddick, María O. León-Campos, Pedro Molleda, Javiera Rosell and Margarita Valenzuela
Healthcare 2026, 14(2), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14020265 - 21 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 961
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Screening instruments are relevant for assessing the mental health of older adults, favoring clinical practice and research. However, there is a need for instruments with sufficient evidence of validity for use in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), where they are growing. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Screening instruments are relevant for assessing the mental health of older adults, favoring clinical practice and research. However, there is a need for instruments with sufficient evidence of validity for use in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), where they are growing. This scoping review aims to evaluate the existing evidence regarding the psychometric properties of mental health measurement instruments used with older adults from LAC. Methods: Eight databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Embase, Scielo, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO) were searched to extract relevant articles about instruments to measure mental health outcomes in older adults in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. After the first screening and duplicate removal, 6307 were retrieved. Results: The full-text screening identified 312 articles for inclusion in the review. Most of the articles were from Brazil (49.04%). One hundred eighty instruments (52.79%) assessed cognition, mainly using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), followed by 11.14% for depression, most commonly with the Yesavage Depression Scale (GDS). The assessment of validity was predominantly based on two criteria (34%), and 56% of the evidence was published in the last 10 years. To improve usability, we have provided a practical guide to help LAC clinicians and researchers identify and select robustly validated and contextually appropriate assessment instruments. Conclusions: There is still little evidence of the validity of instruments that measure other aspects of mental health beyond cognitive functioning. There seems to be no unified set of criteria in Latin America for determining whether an instrument has sufficient valid evidence. More work is needed on cross-cultural validity evidence within the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mental Health in Older People)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-5
Back to TopTop