The Associations between Social Relations, Activities of Daily Living, Cognitive Functions and Depressive Symptoms among the Korean Elderly: 2014 Korean National Survey on Older Adults

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the association between social relations, activities of daily living, cognitive functions and depressive symptoms among the Korean elderly. METHODS: Study subjects were 10,260 elderly participated in 2014 Korean National Survey on Older Adults. General characteristics, social relations, activities of daily living, cognitive functions and depressive symptoms were collected by face-to-face interview. Descriptive analyses, chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed using SAS 9.4 statistical program. RESULTS: Total 33.0% of elderly had depressive symptoms. The odds ratios (OR) for depressive symptoms were significantly higher in elderly without housemate [OR=1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.11-1.53], without contact of living children (OR=1.76, 95% CI=1.03-2.99), lower social activity (OR=2.00, 95% CI=1.71-2.35) and without contact of friends (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.30-1.67). And impaired activity of daily living (ADL) (ADL OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.18-2.20, instrumental activities of daily living OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.36-2.06) and cognitive impairment (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.07-1.38) were also associated the risk of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Social support for elderly who lack social relationships and services to improve the daily life of elderly with impaired activities are helpful to decrease depressive symptoms. And it is necessary to investigate and manage the depressive symptoms of elderly with impaired cognitive function.