Abstract
Objectives: As life expectancy increases, the number of the oldest-old is rapidly increasing. Due to the lack of empirical research on the oldest-old, however, the factors leading to depression among the oldest-old is still unknown. In order to address the limitation, this study aims to achieve two goals: (1) to examine biopsychosocial factors associated with depression among the oldest-old and (2) to examine whether the predictors of depression differ by age groups (85-89 group vs 90 and over group). Methods: Sample consists of 362 oldest-old aged 85 and older who participated in the 11SUPth/SUP Korean Welfare Panel Study. Data were analyzed through the Structural Equational Modeling and multi-group SEM. Results: (1) Self-rated health, self-esteem, social relationship satisfaction were associated with depression. (2) The predictors of depression varied by age groups in terms of family relationship satisfaction, gender, and income. Conclusions: Given the various factors associated with depression among the oldest-old and the age differences identified by this study, practical implications can be drawn as follow. Approaches to depression for the oldest-old should consider age-specific strategies that differ from other age group. The oldest-old are not always homogeneous groups, interventions should be tailored by age groups even within the oldest-old populations.
Published Version
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