Digital Commons Network^™

Depressive Symptoms In Elderly Women With Chronic Conditions: Measurement Issues, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: Depression is highly prevalent in elderly women with chronic conditions and measuring depressive symptoms is complicated by co-occurring chronic illnesses. The 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale is commonly used with elders, but its length may result in missing data. Twelve short four to 16 item CES-D forms exist, but their psychometric properties have not been systematically evaluated.

Method: This study of 250 elderly women compared reliability and validity estimates for the 20-item CES-D and its 12 short forms; all scales used four response alternatives. The study also investigated whether women with varying numbers of chronic conditions …

Widowhood And The End Of Spousal Caregiving: Wear And Tear Or Relief?, Jennifer Reid Keene, Anastasia H. Prokos

Sociology Faculty Research

This paper analyses the impact of spousal care-giving on survivors’ depressive symptoms six months into widowhood, and examines the applicability of a ‘ relief model’ of spousal adjustment during bereavement. We examine several aspects of the care-giving situation, including care-giver stress, care-giving demands, and type and duration of care and how these affect survivors’ depressive symptomatology. The sample is drawn from two waves of the Changing Lives of Older Couples (CLOC) survey, which was conducted in the United States in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, Michigan. The first wave of data was collected from couples and the second from the surviving …

Depression In The Elderly: Does Family System Play A Role? A Cross-Sectional Study, Ather M. Taqui, Ahmed Itrat, Waris Qidwai, Zeeshan Qadri

Department of Family Medicine

Background

The most common geriatric psychiatric disorder is depression. The role of family systems in depression among the elderly has not been studied extensively. It has been suggested that urbanization promotes nucleation of family systems and a decrease in care and support for the elderly. We conducted this study in Karachi, a large urban city of Pakistan, to determine the relationship between the type of family system and depression. We also determined the prevalence of depression in the elderly, as well as correlation of depression with other important socio-demographic variables.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in the premises …

Acculturation And Depression Among Hispanics: The Moderating Effect Of Intercultural Competence, Lucas Torres, David Rollock

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

In the present study the authors examined the relative contributions of typical acculturation indicators, general coping, and intercultural competence in predicting depression among 96 Hispanic adults. The results indicated that intercultural competence served to moderate the relationship between acculturation and depression. The combination of high acculturation and high intercultural competence was associated with fewer symptoms. General coping accounted for significant amounts of variance in predicting depression, over and above traditional acculturation variables alone, suggesting that an active problem-solving style was associated with a healthier outcome. The findings are discussed within the context of integrating competence-based variables into psychological conceptualizations of …

Pain Affects Spouses Too: Personal Experience With Pain And Catastrophizing As Correlates Of Spouse Distress, Michelle T. Leonard, Annmarie Cano

Psychology Faculty Research Publications

Chronic pain has adverse effects on individuals with chronic pain (ICPs) as well as their family members. Borrowing from an empathy model described by Goubert et al. (2005), we examined topdown and bottom-up factors that may be related to psychological well-being in the spouses of ICPs. A diverse community sample of 113 middle-aged spouses of individuals with chronic pain (ICPs) completed measures on pain severity and spouse pain catastrophizing (PCS-S; Cano et al., 2005). Results showed that almost half (48.7%) of spouses reported chronic pain themselves and that pain in the spouse accounted for within-couple differences on psychological distress. That …

Psychological Quality Of Life In The Nursing Home Environment, Gabriel Mejia

Theses Digitization Project

This study confirms that depression is highly prevalent in nursing homes. In addition, this study reveals incongruency between depression rates and recognition rates of depression in the nursing home environment.

The Role Of Spiritual Well-Being In Moderating Frail Elders' Affective Response To Functional Difficulty, Marie P. Dennis, Laura N. Gitlin, Laraine Winter, Yeon K. Chee

Center for Applied Research on Aging and Health Research Papers

Anxiety and depression have been well documented as affective consequences of functional impairment. Little research, however, has examined factors that moderate these associations. The present cross-sectional study examined the role of spiritual well-being in buffering the impact of functional difficulty on the anxiety and depressive symptoms of 319 functionally vulnerable community-dwelling elders, aged 70 or older, participating in a 6-month randomized controlled trial designed to enhance function. As demonstrated in recent research on spirituality and health, we expected that spiritual well-being would moderate the association between functional difficulty and anxiety as well as the relationship between functional difficulty and depression. …

The Relationship Between Age And Depression : A Self-Efficacy Model, Brandyn M. Street

Master's Theses

From an applied perspective, it is useful for clinicians and researchers to know what variables are more likely to be related to depressive symptoms for some groups than for others. From the social-cognitive perspective, symptoms of depression are linked to people's beliefs that they are unable to regulate or control their own functioning. The purpose of the present study was to test social cognitive theory and its claims about self efficacy by examining whether age and sex differences in depression are a function of emotion regulation, emotional self-efficacy and response styles to depression. The results indicated that females had a …

A Descriptive Study Of The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Depression By Nurse Practitioners, Polly T. Vick

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether family and adult nurse practitioners were able to diagnose and treat the depressed patient in the primary care setting. The sample included 28 adult and family nurse practitioners who had been practicing as NPs for at least one year and who were currently employed in the primary care setting. The researcher used five case studies that were developed by the investigator to portray different levels of depression. The study demonstrated a fair ability to diagnose depression. but not to recognize the different levels of depression. It also demonstrated a lack of …

A Comparison Study Of Depression In The Elderly: Traveling South Versus Staying In The Midwest For The Winter, Sandra M. Zieffler

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Depression is the primary mental health disorder in the elderly (people 65 years old and older). As the elderly are the fastest growing segment of the population in the United States, an increasing number of elders will be affected by this illness. The purpose of this study was to compare depression in the elderly between those who stay in the Midwest (Minnesota or North Dakota) year-round and those who travel south for all or part of the winter. A four-page self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 227 people thought to be at least 65 years old. The questionnaire consisted of background …

Depression Or Suicide In The Elderly: A Guide For Caregivers, Betty Lou Browning

Theses

This project examines elements of depression and suicide in the elderly. An emphasis on accurate assessment for depression and potential suicide is an integral part of the project's focus. An overall theme evident in all references is how hopeless the elderly feel prior to thoughts, plans and actions to end their lives. Depression shows through signs of helplessness, passivity, detachment, physical debilitation, and despair. Biological, sociological, psychosocial and psychological factors associated with aging are discussed. The specific topics and teaching modules provide guidance with the hope that caregivers will begin to understand the devastating desperation that precedes elderly suicide attempts …

Devolpment Of A Scale To Assess Home Health Care Aides' Ability To Recognize Depression In Older Adults, Tina M. Nerney

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

Depression afflicts 20% to 40% of people 65 and older. Depression in older adults is frequent and chronic. The challenge of a hospital stay and the knowledge of having a long term disability may increase the risk for a depressive episode. In today's health care environment older adults are being released from hospitals after a short length of stay and are frequently dependent on home health services for assistance with activities of daily living. Home health care aides are given the responsibility of providing these services to the older adult in the home environment and need to be aware of …

Levels Of Depression In Diabetic Elders With Controlled And Uncontrolled Blood Glucose Levels, Julie Sharon Randolph Briggs

MSN Research Projects

Depression is one of the most prevalent illnesses among elders. However, while it is one of the most treatable illnesses, depression is often the most neglected. It is well documented that depression leads to suicide. With the suicide rate among elders the highest of all age groups, it is imperative that health care providers become aware of the risk of depression among diabetic elders. Elders are at risk for depression with advancing age, loss of previous good health, and social interaction. The purpose of this nonexperimental, descriptive study is to compare depression levels in diabetic elders with controlled and uncontrolled …

Epidemiology Of Gambling And Depression In A Random Adult Sample, James A. Thorson, F. C. Powell, Michael L. Hilt

Communication Faculty Publications

Presents a study of the relationship between gambling and depression in a sample of adults in the United States. Absence of relationship.

A Correlation Study Of Locus Of Control And Depression In Individuals Experiencing Job Loss, Robert H. Ramsey Jr.

Theses

This study examined the correlation between Levenson's Locus of Control (LLOC) scale and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in individuals experiencing job loss . The seventeen subjects studied were employees that chose not to relocate with the company, but rather stayed with the company until it had successfully relocated, and then began searching for their next employment opportunity. At the end of their contracted stay, the subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, the Levenson Locus of Control scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. The results for the most part confirmed previous research with regard to the positive relationship between LLOC Internality …

Employment And Happiness Among Mormon And Non-Mormon Mothers In Utah, Kimberly Grace Andersen

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of maternal employment status on the happiness and/or unhappiness of married Utah women with children were studied. The independent variables were employment status, age, and denomination. Covariates were health, husbands income, and number of children. Denominational differences were not found to impact happiness, but age and employment status were related to happiness, with non-employed and younger mothers being happier.

Effects Of Antihypertensive And Cardiac Drugs And Level Of Depression In Community-Based Elders, Angela Hays

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this ex post facto study was to determine the effects of antihypertensive and cardiac drugs on the level of depression in community-based elders. Roy's Adaptation Model provided the theoretical framework for this study. Data were collected using the Brink Geriatric Depression Scale and the Drug Information Sheet. These questionnaires were administered to 40 subjects ages 55 and older who were taking antihypertensive and/or cardiac drugs or neither antihypertensive nor cardiac drugs. One null hypothesis and five directional hypotheses guided this study. The null hypothesis stated that there would be no difference in mean depression scores among the …

The Relationship Between Depression And Loss, Support System, And Perceived Health Of The Elderly, Eleanor M. Foehner

Theses

Adults between the ages of 65 and 90 were the subjects of a study to explore the relationship between depression and the variables of personal loss , support system, and perceived physical health . Thirty- four subjects completed a self- administered depression scale (the Geriatric Depression Scale) and a personal information sheet . The relationships between depression and perceived personal health was significant , as was the relationship between depression and the support system. The relationship between depression and loss was not significant . As one's perceived health became better , depression decreased . Likewise, as one's support system increased, …

An Investigation Of Factors Associated With Depression In Older Adults, Katherine Mary Mayhew

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

As the population ages, there is a need for continued research into the etiology of geriatric depression and improved ways to detect individuals at risk for developing this disorder. The current study explores relationships between depression, health perception, life satisfaction, and loneliness for 44 older (51-79) subjects. Relationships between the four variables and marital status, bereavement, monthly income, satisfaction with income, residence, occupation, education, size of household, and the number of living children and siblings are also examined; Descriptive statistics for the depression measures and their correlates are presented, followed by a breakdown of the measures by demographic characteristics. Furthermore, …

The Effect Of Plush Animals On Depression In Elderly Nursing Home Residents, William J. Bergin

MSN Research Projects

A quasi-experimental study was used to study the effect of plush animals on depression in elderly nursing home residents. The researcher hypothesized that there would be no significant difference between depression prior to and following plush animal therapy. Data were collected preand p o s t - p l u s h animal therapy using the Beck Depression Inventory. There were four subjects who each selected a plush animal, kept it with them for 5 weeks, and were then retested using the Beck Depression Inventory. The results of the ^ test led the researcher to reject the null hypothesis. Plush …

Effects Of Volunteer Activity On Psychosocial Adjustment Among The Elderly, William R. Criss

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This research was carried out to determine if psychosocial adjustment improves for elderly persons engaged in volunteer activity. Questionnaires were completed by 27 persons aged 60 or over before and two months after beginning volunteer activity at one of 33 Florida community hospitals. A control group of 37 persons without hospital volunteer experience also completed these two questionnaires, which covered several aspects of psychosocial adjustment, including self-esteem, life satisfaction, sense of control, optimism, anxiety, depression and somatization. An analysis of covariance with repeated measures indicated that there was no significant improvement in subjective well-being associated with volunteer activity after accounting …

Factors Influencing Grief Adjustment In The Elderly, Jo Anne Pauline Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper was to attempt to identify variables which may enhance the ability of older widowed persons to adjust to viii bereavement. Depression and perceptions of physical health were the two aspects of adjustment selected for study. Several variables which current literature suggests may mediate grief adjustment were examined for their potential relationship to bereavement outcome. These were gender, level of grief, anticipatory grief and social network. The possible relationship between depression and perceptions of physical health was also examined for.

Subjects were 75 men and women, age 55 and over, who were recently widowed, and 29 …