Abstract
Widowhood is a catastrophic event at any stage of life for the surviving partner particularly in old age, with serious repercussions on their physical, economic, and emotional well-being. This study investigates the association of marital status and living arrangement with depression among older adults. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the effects of factors such as socio-economic conditions and other health problems contributing to the risk of depression among older adults in India. This study utilizes data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI-2017–18). The effective sample size was 30,639 older adults aged 60 years and above. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis have been performed to determine the prevalence of depression. Further, binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to study the association between marital status and living arrangement on depression among older adults in India. Overall, around nine percent of the older adults suffered from depression. 10.3% of the widowed (currently married: 7.8%) and 13.6% of the older adults who were living alone suffered from depression. Further, 8.4% of the respondents who were co-residing with someone were suffering from depression. Widowed older adults were 34% more likely to be depressed than currently married counterparts [AOR: 1.34, CI 1.2–1.49]. Similarly, respondents who lived alone were 16% more likely to be depressed compared to their counterparts [AOR: 1.16; CI 1.02, 1.40]. Older adults who were widowed and living alone were 56% more likely to suffer from depression [AOR: 1.56; CI 1.28, 1.91] in reference to older adults who were currently married and co-residing. The study shows vulnerability of widowed older adults who are living alone and among those who had lack of socio-economic resources and face poor health status. The study can be used to target outreach programs and service delivery for the older adults who are living alone or widowed and suffering from depression.
Highlights
Background characteristic Marital status Currently marriedWidowed Living arrangement Co-residing Living alone Age Young-old Old-old Oldest-old Sex Male Female Education No education/primary not completed Primary completed Secondary completed Higher and above Working status Working Retired Not working Social participation No Yes Life satisfaction* Low Medium High Self-rated health* Good Poor Difficulty in Activities of Daily Living (ADL)* No Yes Difficulty in IADL* No Yes Morbidity status 0 1 2 + monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) quintile Poorest Poorer Middle Richer Richest Religion Hindu Muslim Christian Others Caste Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe ContinuedSample Percentage
The significant association of life satisfaction with depression in our study was consistent with previous studies that have shown that older individuals who had greater life dissatisfaction were more likely to suffer from depression and suggested that such a subjective status can be promoted by enhancing their social and economic c ircumstances[71,72]
The findings of the study highlight that being in a marital union and co-residential living arrangements are an essential part of mental well-being in later years of life
Summary
Background characteristic Marital status Currently marriedWidowed Living arrangement Co-residing Living alone Age Young-old Old-old Oldest-old Sex Male Female Education No education/primary not completed Primary completed Secondary completed Higher and above Working status Working Retired Not working Social participation No Yes Life satisfaction* Low Medium High Self-rated health* Good Poor Difficulty in ADL* No Yes Difficulty in IADL* No Yes Morbidity status 0 1 2 + MPCE quintile Poorest Poorer Middle Richer Richest Religion Hindu Muslim Christian Others Caste Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe ContinuedSample Percentage. Older adults who were widowed and living alone were 56 percent significantly more likely to suffer from depression [AOR: 1.56; CI 1.28,1.91] in reference to older adults who were currently married and coresiding. In the study sample, only 5.4% of the older adults were found to be living alone This may have led to underestimation of the association, lack of power or type II error and could have impacted the current findings. Notwithstanding these limitations, the present study’s findings provide empirical support to the body of literature that highlights the vulnerability of widowed older adults living alone
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