Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Individuals Living in Urban Communities.

Abstract

BackgroundDepression is one of the most significant mental illnesses in the elderly population. Societal and economic changes in the social structure, particularly in urban communities, have led to a tendency toward depression in the elderly. Therefore, understanding the factors associated with depression among the elderly living in urban areas in Thailand is important to prevent and mitigate depression.ObjectiveTo investigate the proportion of depression and its associated factors in the elderly living in Bangkok.Materials and MethodsThis was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 888 people living in Thai urban communities, including those in slum, urban, suburban, and high-rise building areas. A two-parts questionnaire was used: 1) the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) to assess depression and 2) associated factors.ResultsThe overall percentage of depression in the sample population was 7.3%, and the proportion of depression was associated with community density (p = 0.031). The factors significantly associated with depression in the elderly included anxiety about an underlying disease [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.51; 95% CI 3.47–16.27], family conflict (AOR = 6.30; 95% CI 1.34–29.55), family history of psychiatric illness (AOR = 5.78; 95% CI 2.35–14.21), financial problems (AOR = 3.81; 95% CI 2.08–6.98), living separately from a spouse (AOR = 3.31; 95% CI 1.22–8.98), and less or no activity participation (AOR = 3.09; 95% CI 1.32–7.26 and AOR = 3.02; 95% CI 1.29–7.09).ConclusionTo mitigate depression in the elderly, attention should be given to any underlying medical disease. The community also should promote more activities accessible to the elderly, especially income-earning activities. These activities might promote better relationships or ease conflict among elderly and other family members.