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Risk indicators for depression in aged care: The contribution of a meaningful life, mastery and environmental fit
Author(s) -
Chau Rebecca,
Kissane David W.,
Davison Tanya E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/ajag.12792
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , observational study , cohort , psychology , cohort study , clinical psychology , gerontology , cognition , population , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives Depression is a pernicious, growing problem in the aged care population. Knowledge about the risk factors for depression focuses on unchangeable, medical factors; therefore, a deeper, systematic understanding of modifiable psychological risk indicators is needed. Methods This secondary analysis used data from an observational cohort study (T1, n = 147; T2, n = 81) of adults aged ≥65 years recruited from 15 aged care facilities in Melbourne, Australia. Meaningful existence, mastery, social support and person‐environment fit were investigated as risk indicators. Results Generalised estimating equation analysis identified that changes in meaningful existence ( b = –0.06, P < .05), mastery ( b = –0.05, P < .05) and person‐environment fit ( b = –0.02, P < .05) were significantly associated with change in depression score. These remained significant controlling for socio‐demographic variables, cognitive impairment and functional impairment. Conclusion Because these psychological risk factors—meaningful existence, mastery and person‐environment fit—are suitable therapeutic targets, they are well positioned to inform prevention and intervention programs.