The impact of life events on depression among elderly in Kelantan
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Date
2018
Authors
Abdullah, Nor Ilyani
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Background: Life events are believed to be associated with the development of
depression. The extended years of living will invariably subject the elderly people to
more life events. Thus, they are more vulnerable to suffer from depression. The aim
of this study is to determine the prevalence of depression among the elderly residents
in Kelantan and to elucidate the association between life events and the elderly
depression.
Methods: This is a cross sectional study, which was conducted in Kelantan from
April 2016 until December 2017. Stratified random sampling method was used to
recruit 422 elderly people aged 60 years and above. The Malay Geriatric Depression
Scale-15 (M-GDS-15) was utilized to identify the presence of depression, while life
events occurring in the past twelve months were evaluated using the Social
Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS). Data were analyzed using simple and multiple
logistic regressions.
Results: The prevalence of depression among elderly in Kelantan is 22%. Being
older elders (aged more than 75) and staying in traditional house were found to have
positive association with depression, while being married and performing exercise
were identified as the protective factors against depression. The significant life events
that contributed to elderly depression were death of spouse (95% CI =1.45, 26.34,
p=0.014), changes of social activities (95%CI: 2.24,6.91, p<0.001), serious illness orinjuries (95% CI =1.15,7.84, p=0.025), changes of life habits (95%CI: 1.50,4.73,
p=0.001), changes of sleeping habits (95% CI: 1.38,4.70,p=0.003), changes of
lifestyle (95%CI: 1.32,4.61,p=0.005) and changes of numbers of family get-together
(95% CI: 1.32,4.07,p=0.004).
Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among elderly in Kelantan is high. The
changes in social relationship, activities and lifestyles are significantly related with
elderly depression. These life events are inevitable in elderly. Therefore, there is a
need to detect early signs of depression especially in those who faced certain amounts
of recent life events. Social interventions such as promoting healthy and active
lifestyle among elderly also warrant attention.
Description
Keywords
Depression