Factors Influencing Depression of the Elderly

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to examine factors related to depression of the elderly, and using them, to lay the ground for the development of nursing intervention. METHODS: This was a descriptive correlation study. The subjects were 581 elders aged over 65 from senior centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regression with SAS. RESULTS: The predictors of depression in the elderly were quality of life, moral, life satisfaction, self-esteem, loneliness, nonformal support, and perceived health state. Among them, quality of life was the most significant predictor in the elderly. These factors explained 72.2% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the need to develop nursing strategies for decreasing depression in the elderly. To decrease the depression of the elderly, the above-mentioned major influencing factors should be considered.