A Study on the Experience of Depression in Elderly Women Living Alone / 정신간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was done to explore the experience process for depression in elderly women living alone. METHODS: Data was analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's Grounded theory. The twelve participants were elderly women living alone, aged 65 to 80 years. RESULTS: From the participants' statements, 116 concepts, 43 sub-categories and 16 categories were extracted by an open coding process. Core category was 'wandering in a waste land'. The experience process leading to depression in elderly women living alone had 4 phases: loss, emptiness, struggle and response. CONCLUSION: The findings in this study on the experience of depression in elderly women living alone can be used for evidence in a detailed assessment, early detection and prevention of depression in elderly women living alone.

Effects of Tailored Case Management using a Gatekeeper for the Depressed Single-household Elderly Population: Focusing on the Mental Health Case Management

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of tailored case management using a gatekeeper on depression and life satisfaction in the single-household elderly population. METHODS: The design of Quasi experiment was applied to compare the variables before and after the management. Ninety-seven people who had depression categorized by the Korean Geriatric Depression Scale. RESULTS: Depression (t=11.22, p<.001) and life satisfaction (t=-5.36, p<.001) were improved after management in comparison to the results of pre-tests, and the differences were statistically significant. The difference in the pre-test and post-test scores of the support system (chi2=13.89, p<.001) were significant, while the differences in the perception of depression (chi2=.02, p=.891) and coping methods (chi2=.34, p=.558) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Tailored case management using a gatekeeper is effective to reduce the degree of depression and improve life satisfaction in the single-household elderly population having depression. This study offers a model of individualized as well as systemic mental health care for the community of single-house hold elderly people as an effective means for prevention of and early intervention in depression.