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Prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among veterans home elders in Eastern Taiwan
Author(s) -
Ku YanChiou,
Liu WenChien,
Tsai YunFang
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1638
Subject(s) - depressive symptoms , depression (economics) , medicine , logistic regression , psychological intervention , gerontology , activities of daily living , psychiatry , cognition , economics , macroeconomics
Background Depression in the elderly has become a serious health care issue worldwide. However, no studies have determined the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among a representative sample of veterans home elders in Taiwan. Objectives To determine the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among veterans home elders in eastern Taiwan. Method Elderly veterans ( n = 947) were recruited from four veterans homes in eastern Taiwan. Results The prevalence of depressive tendency was 35.5%. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that depressive status in this sample was significantly predicted by poorer functional status, dissatisfaction with living situation, poorer perceived health status, and lower education level. Conclusions The risk factors for depressive symptoms identified in this study need to be considered when assessing the health of elderly veterans. In addition, strategies to improve elderly veterans' perception of health status, physical function and living situation should be considered in interventions to reduce their depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.