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A prospective investigation of factors associated with depressive symptoms in older adults' post‐hospitalisation
Author(s) -
Brown Aimee,
Peres Lisa,
Brown Ted,
Haines Terence,
Stolwyk Rene
Publication year - 2020
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.5285
Subject(s) - depressive symptoms , anxiety , social support , coping (psychology) , psychopathology , psychological intervention , medicine , hospital discharge , prospective cohort study , psychiatry , clinical psychology , psychology , psychotherapist
Objective The transition from hospital to home is a period where older adults are at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The present study applied the Social Antecedent Model of Psychopathology (SAMP) to identify factors present at hospital discharge associated with depressive symptoms at discharge and future symptoms at 3‐ and 6‐month post‐discharge home. Method 286 older adults aged over 65 (M = 78.38, SD = 7.68, 57% female) reported on a range of variables that were mapped to the SAMP at hospital discharge, 3‐ and 6‐month post‐discharge. Results At baseline assessment, male gender, increased anxiety symptoms, low social support and low perceived coping ability were associated with concurrent baseline depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms at baseline were strongly associated with future depressive symptoms at 3‐ and 6‐month post‐discharge. Low household physical activity was also associated with depressive symptoms at 3 months and elevated baseline anxiety symptoms and low social support were associated with depressive symptoms at 6‐month post‐discharge. Conclusion Pre‐discharge screening of depressive and anxiety symptoms, social support, household physical activity and coping ability may assist in identifying elderly patients at risk of developing depressive symptoms during the hospital‐to‐home transition. These factors may also serve as potential targets for preventative interventions post‐discharge for older adults.