Determinants of Depressive Symptoms Among Japanese Elders Receiving Care from Spouses, Daughters and Daughters-in-Law

Abstract

This study examined determinants of self-reported depressive symptoms among 96 community-dwelling Japanese elders who received care from their spouses, daughters and daughters-in-law. Respondents were recruited from day treatment programs at respite care facilities in northwestern Japan and administered the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Close to 60% of the respondents were mildly depressed. Moderate to severe depression was more common among elders who received care from their spouses than from those who received care from their daughters or daughters-in-law. Regressed with age, health status, ADL impairment, care-receiving stress, coping styles, and characteristics of the caregiver (kin relationship), depression was found associated with age, poor health, care-receiving stress, and passive coping. Caregiver characteristics were not significant in the regression model, suggesting that the quality of the caring relationship was a more important factor than the type of kin relationship.