Abstract
Previous studies have shown that the physical functioning of older adults directly affects their depressive symptoms, and suicide is also closely associated with depression. This study determined the effects of physical functioning on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among older Korean adults. This study used data from the 2017 National Survey of Older Persons. Among the 10,299 participants in the entire data set, 10,083 participants were analyzed, excluding 216 participants who did not respond to the dependent variables. Data analyses included frequency, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression. The results indicated that physical functioning among older adults was associated with reduced depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Compared to the group that had non-limited activities of daily living (ADL) function, the group with limitations was 1.66 times more likely to show depressive symptoms (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.36–2.02). Similar trends were observed in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.58–2.16). When suicidal ideation was set as a dependent variable, IADL had a statistically significant impact (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.14–1.74); however, ADL did not seem to have an impact. Moreover, both ADL (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.35–1.94) and IADL (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.49–1.97) had statistically significant effects when combined with depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Better physical functioning was associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. This study emphasizes the importance of physical functioning when examining older adults’ mental health.
Highlights
Depression is a major health risk factor for older adults [1], among whom the rates of depression and frailty are high [2]
The current study determined the effects of physical functioning on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among older adults in Korea using the National Survey of Older Persons (NSOP) 2017
This study used raw data from the NSOP 2017 conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA), which conducts a survey every three years according to the Senior Welfare and Welfare Act
Summary
Depression is a major health risk factor for older adults [1], among whom the rates of depression and frailty are high [2]. This is not a unique trend in Korea. Korea’s aging rate is expected to reach 43.9% by 2060, and the level of aging is expected to be very high [3]. Korea is already an aging society, with 15.7% of the population aged 65 years and above in. In Korea, the suicide rate has increased for those aged 70 years and above compared to other age groups [5]. Suicide is closely associated with depression [6]
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