Abstract
The 1780 census estimates indicate that 15% of elderly persons suffer from depression and that the suicide rate for those 55 yr. of age or older (18.5 per 100,000) is almost a third higher than that for the general public (12.6 per 100,000). In addition, 16% of nursing home residents age 65 yr. or older have a primary diagnosis of mental illness or senility ( 5 ) . Society and the helping professions cannot eschew that part of the human experience at the end of life; the initial step must be to expand our understanding of the psychological aspects of aging. Current investigations suggest the powerful adaptational consequences of older adults who remain active and involved with others throughout life (3). The Social Interest Scale (I) and the Geriatric Hopelessness Scale (2) were orally administered to 30 nursing home resident volunteers (age range, 65 yr. to 88 yr.; M age = 74.6 yr.; 30 women, 8 men) to determine the relationship between social interest and feelings of hopelessness. The participants had lived at the facility an average of 34.2 mo., and although some required the use of a wheelchair, none were completely disabled. All participants were Caucasian and, according to the administrative staff, none were considered to be mentally impaired. Using the product-moment coefficient, a Pearson correlation of -.58 was obtained between scores on the two measures (M = 6.7, SD = 4.4, Range = 0-30 on the Geriatric Hopelessness Scale. M = 11.2, SD = 2.3, Range = 1-5 on the Social Interest Scale). This correlation suggests, although modestly, that increased social interest (e.g., concern for the welfare of others) lessens feelings of depression and hopelessness. Using the Geriatric Hopelessness Scale, counselors mighr explore more specifically how elderly clients perceive the world. Perhaps as Palmore (4) has suggested, in gerontological counseling for depression, the key focus should be on hopelessness associated with loneliness and isolation during old age.
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