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

ABSTRACT

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.