Depression among senior citizens residing in different living arrangements
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Date
2017
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CCSHAU
Abstract
Ageing is the natural and inevitable phenomenon. Our society is undergoing rapid changes
because of irreversible phenomenon of globalization, industrialization and rapid urbanization which
eventually leading us towards family disintegration. The increasing number of nuclear families led to
the ignorance towards our elderly in home. Depression occurs at old age as a result of isolation and
emotional insecurity. It refers to a heterogeneous set of phenomenon ranging from simple mood swings
to severe affective state.
The study examined the level of depression among elderly residing in different living
arrangements like living with family, without family and in institutional setting for e.g. old age home
etc. The study was conducted in two districts namely Hisar and Bikaner from Haryana and Rajasthan
respectively. The total sample consisted of 180 respondents i.e. 90 from each district. 30 respondents
were selected from each living arrangements in both the districts. The Beck Depression Inventory was
used to record the responses on depression occurrence. It was found that majority of respondents were
economically dependent on their children followed by pension holders. The leisure time utilization was
high among elderly residing in institutions and those living with family. Very few cases of borderline
depression were found during the study. The health status of majority of respondents was average. The
results reveal that elderly male is more likely to suffer depression as compared to female counterparts.
The results related to correlation of depression with personal and socio-economic variables revealed
that the living arrangements and age are significantly and positively correlated with depression,
whereas gender and education status are significantly and negatively correlated with depression from
personal variables. The media exposure variable is positively correlated with depression, that is, as the
economic dependency and family support system increases, it decreases the depression. The study
concludes that in respondents living without family there were high incidence of low leisure time
utilization and high depression as compared to those residing in institutions or living with family.
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