Relationships of Health Status, Family Relations, and Loneliness to Depression in Older Adults

Abstract: Keywords: Depression, Older adults, Health status, Family relations, Loneliness The aim of this descriptive correlational research was to investigate the relationship of health status, family relations, and loneliness to depression in older adults. The psychosocial theory of depression in older adults was used to guide this study. The research sample consisted of 96 older adults who lived in Chainat Province. The sample was selected by multi-stage random sampling. The eight instruments used in the study were: 1) Demographic Data Form; 2) the Set Test; 3) the Modified Barthel ADL Index; 4) the Chula ADL Index; 5) Health Problems Questionnaire; 6) the Family Relationship Inventory; 7) the Loneliness Inventory; and 8) the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson๛s product moment correlation, and multiple regression. The results revealed that the majority of older adults (37.5%) had moderate depression. The number of health problems and loneliness were positively correlated to depression. The functional ability and family relations were negatively correlated to depression. Loneliness, family relations and the number of health problems could jointly explain 61% of the variance in depression in older adults. However, the functional ability did not emerge as a significant predictor of depression in older adults. This study suggests that nurses should be aware of depression in older adults. In order to prevent depression in older adults, nurses should aim to prevent loneliness, minimize health problems, and promote family relations.