Yaşlı Bireylerde Benlik Saygısı, Ölüm Kaygısı ve Depresyon Arasındaki İlişkinin Bazı Değişkenlere Göre İncelenmesi: Tanımlayıcı Araştırma

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to identify the relationships among self-esteem, death anxiety and depression in older individuals according to certain variables. Material and Methods: This descriptive and relational screening study was conducted with 330 older individuals who lived in a city center and volunteered to participate in the study. Data were collected using a socio-demographic form, Rosenberg's Self- Esteem Scale, Templer's Death Anxiety Scale, and the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 22 statistical package program, and p<0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: An analysis of older individuals' mean scores for self-esteem, death anxiety, and risk of depression in relation to their demographic characteristics indicated statistically significant differences (p<0.05). It was found that generally, these older individuals had a low depression risk (6.26±3.811), they had high self-esteem (1.03±0.426), and they experienced a medium level of death anxiety (7.89±2.857). A positive, medium-level relationship was found between self-esteem and depression, and a positive, low-level, but significant relationship was found between self-esteem and death anxiety (p<0.05). Conclusion: Income level and educational level are important factors influencing self-esteem, death anxiety, and depression risk. It was found that depression risk and death anxiety increased where there was a decrease in self-esteem in older individuals.