Pornpen Sampao. Relationships of health status, family Relations, and lonelness to depression in older adults . Master's Degree(Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Relationships of health status, family Relations, and lonelness to depression in older adults
Abstract:
The aim of this descriptive correlational research was to investigate the relationship
of health status, family relations, and loneliness to depression in older adults. The
psychosocial theory for depression in older adults was used to guide this study. The research
sample consisted of 96 persons who lived in Chainat Province. The sample was selected by
multi-stage random sampling. The seven instruments used in the study were the Set Test,
Demographic Data Form, the Modified Barthel ADL Index, the Chula ADL Index, the Family
Relationship Inventory, the Loneliness Inventory, and the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale.
The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product moment correlation, and
Stepwise multiple regression.
The results revealed that the majority of older adults (37.5%) had moderate
depression. The number of health problems and loneliness were positively correlated to
depression. Functional ability and family relations were negatively correlated to depression.
Loneliness, family relations and the number of health problems could jointly explain 62% of
the variance in depression in older adults. However, functional ability did not emerge as a
significant predictor of depression in older adults.
This study suggests that nurses should be aware of depression in older adults. In
order to prevent depression in older adults, nurses should aim to prevent loneliness, minimize
health problems, and promote family relations