Factors Associated With Depression Among Elderly Living Alone and Those Living With a Spouse in an Urban Area
10.22802/jksbtp.2024.30.1.9
- Author:
Min JHON
1
;
Seon-Young KIM
;
Hee-Young SHIN
;
Ju-Yeon LEE
;
Sung-Wan KIM
;
Jae-Min KIM
;
Il-Seon SHIN
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Chonnam National Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Articles
- From:
Journal of the Korean Society of Biological Therapies in Psychiatry
2024;30(1):9-16
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:EN
-
Abstract:
Objectives:This study aimed to investigate factors associated with depression among elderly living alone and those living with a spouse in an urban area.
Methods:This study was a community-based, cross-sectional study that included 384 elderly aged 60 years or older.The subjects completed a questionnaire that covered sociodemographic characteristics and chronic medical illnesses.The Korean version of the Short Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Korean version of the Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s Disease (KQOL-AD), and the Korean Mini Mental State Examination in the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease assessment packet were also performed.
Results:The participants were divided into two groups: 137 elderly individuals living alone and 247 elderly individuals living with a spouse. Heart disease (odds ratio [OR]=13.099, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.892-90.697, p=0.009) was identified as a risk factor for depression, while the religion (OR=0.137, 95% CI=0.028-0.668, p=0.014) was found to be a protective factor against depression among elderly individuals living alone. Higher scores on the KQOL-AD scale were found to be protective factors against depression for both elderly individuals living alone (OR=0.742, 95% CI= 0.636-0.867, p<0.001) and those living with a spouse (OR=0.664, 95% CI=0.573-0.771, p<0.001).
Conclusions:Among elderly living alone in an urban area, heart disease, religion, and the quality of life appear to have an impact on depression. To reduce the risk of depression in the elderly, it is necessary to properly manage heart disease, encourage religious participation, and enhance the quality of life.
