Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 30
Psychological distress as a key component of psychosocial functioning in community-dwelling older people
- Authors:
- SCHNITTGER Rebecca I. B., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(1-2), January 2012, pp.199-207.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Psychological distress is a critical issue affecting the quality of life in older adults with implications for both mental and physical health. The aim of this study was to explore the key components of psychosocial functioning in older adults with a focus on identifying the constituents of psychological distress. Another aim was to examine the relationship between these components and health outcomes such as frailty. The study was conducted at the Technology Research for Independent Living Clinic, a comprehensive geriatric assessment facility in Dublin. As part of a structured clinical assessment, 579 participants completed 9 primary psychosocial measures as well as a broad range of health and demographic secondary assessments. Principal factor analysis identified 3 core dimensions of the construct of psychosocial functioning. The first is related to a core internal component of psychological distress. The 2 other components are related to external and physiological functioning, specifically social support networks and sleep. These components, particularly psychological distress, were found to be associated with health outcomes associated with frailty.
Is the naturalistic course of depression in older people related to received support over time? Results from a longitudinal population-based study
- Authors:
- HOUTJES Wim, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(6), 2017, pp.657-663.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: To test the interrelation of the naturalistic course of depression in older people with long-term support received. Design: Longitudinal cohort study. Methods: A sample of 277 adults age 55–85 years participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, with clinically relevant depressive symptoms at baseline (scores ≥16 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) were followed up over a period of 13 years. General estimating equations were used to examine the relation between depression course and emotional/instrumental support received over time. In addition, partner status, gender, and age were tested as modifiers. Results: A 2-way interaction between depression courses types and time showed significant differences in instrumental support received over time in older people with a late-life depression. Three-way interactions showed that associations between depression course and support variables were modified by gender and partner status. Conclusion: Both men and singles, with a chronic course of depression may be at risk to lose emotional and instrumental support over time. Professional attention is needed to prevent a chronic course of late-life depression, and to preserve personal social networks. (Publisher abstract)
Perceived social support and mental health states in a clinic-based sample of older HIV positive adults
- Authors:
- KAPADIA Farzana, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 15(4), 2016, pp.417-427.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Despite a high prevalence of mental health problems in older, HIV+ adults (aged ≥ 50), few studies have examined the relationship between perceived social support and mental health burdens in this group. In a clinic-based sample of 100 adults, 23% and 29% met criteria for one and more than one mental health burden, respectively. In multivariable binary logistic models, perceived receipt of positive and emotional social support as well as overall support was inversely associated with the presence of mental health burdens. There is a need for additional investigation of how social support can help mitigate mental health burdens among HIV+ older adults. (Publisher abstract)
An examination of the needs of older patients with chronic mental illness in public mental health services
- Authors:
- FUTERAN Shuli, DRAPER Brian M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(3), April 2012, pp.327-334.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Meeting the needs of patients is likely to influence their experienced quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe the needs of patients aged 50 years and over with chronic mental illness being case managed within a public mental health service, and to determine factors that influence these needs. The participants were 97 patients recruited from community-based Adult Mental Health (AMH) teams and Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People (SMHSOP) teams. Eligibility criteria included a diagnosis of schizophrenia or mood disorder. Patient, carer and key worker interviews were carried out using the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly (CANE). The findings showed that patients self-rated fewer needs overall on the CANE than their key workers or the researcher, and also rated a higher proportion of their needs being met (83%) than the key worker (77%) or researcher (76%). From each perspective, over 80% of psychiatric and around 95% of identified medical needs were being met. The majority of social needs were unmet, with patients reporting only 42%, and key workers only 33%, met needs. The key unmet social needs were company, daily activities and having a close confidant. The article concludes that the social needs of older patients with chronic mental illness require greater attention by public mental health services.
Social relationships and depression among people 65 years and over living in rural and urban areas of Quebec
- Authors:
- MECHAKRA-TAHIRI Samia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(11), November 2009, pp.1226-1236.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In this article, the authors aim to compare the prevalence of depression within the elderly Quebec population residing in rural areas, urban areas and metropolitan Montreal, and to assess differences in the associations between social relationships and depression across these urban and rural settings. Data used originated from a longitudinal study conducted in 2005-2006 on the mental health of the community dwelling population aged over 65 able to understand and speak French, and was based on a sample of 2,670 older people, with interviews conducted by trained interviewers. The results showed that the prevalence of depression was higher in rural and urban areas than in metropolitan Montreal, and indicated that social support and the lack of conflict in intimate relationships were associated with lower prevalence of depression in all areas. The authors conclude that geographic differences in depression exist within the elderly population in Quebec that may generate significant impact on their health and functional abilities, and that further research should be conducted to explain these differences.
Social support as a predictor of psychological and physical well-being and lifestyle in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults aged 50 and over
- Authors:
- MASINI Blase E., BARRETT Hope A.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, 20(1/2), 2008, pp.91-110.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Ageing gay, lesbian and bisexual people often differ from their heterosexual counterparts in their social networks. This study is based on a sample of 220 American adults over 50 who were mainly White, well educated and employed. Social networks were used to predict physical and psychological well-being and lifestyle/risk. The respondents had an average 2.5 members in their social networks, with 56% possessing at least one close friend. Support from friends rather than family predicted higher mental quality of life and lower depression, anxiety and internalised homophobia. The respondents functioned within normal limits on most psychological measures but had serious health risks in relation to alcohol consumption and obesity (in women). (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Support for family carers for an elderly person at home: a systematic literature review
- Authors:
- STOLTZ Peter, UDDEN Giggi, WILLMAN Ania
- Journal article citation:
- Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 18(2), June 2004, pp.111-119.
- Publisher:
- Blackwell Publishing
Sweden, like other countries, has an ageing population, and support for the carers of older people in their own homes is an important policy issue. Support may take a variety of forms, both formal and informal, and this review aims to identify and synthesise high quality evidence on family carers’ perspectives of their situations and needs. Twenty-six papers (primarily American and of carers of people with Alzheimer’s disease) are included in the review, showing that carers fear social isolation and want to network with their peers, either for social or learning purposes. They also want respite care. However, the evidence is not clear on whether they actually benefit from these forms of support, or how service provision should be attempted.
Mental health and social care needs of older people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- STRYDOM Andre, HASSIOTIS Angela, LIVINGSTON Gill
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(3), September 2005, pp.229-235.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In this study all adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) without Down syndrome (DS) aged 65+ living in the London boroughs of Camden and Islington were identified. The Psychiatric Assessment Schedule for Adults with a Developmental Disability (PASADD) checklist was used to detect psychiatric disorder, the Vineland behaviour scale (maladaptive domain) for problem behaviours and the Dementia Questionnaire for persons with Mental Retardation (DMR) to screen for dementia. Carers reported health problems and disability. Needs were measured with the Camberwell Assessment of Need for adults with Intellectual Disabilities (CANDID-S). A total of 23 older people with ID (13 had mild ID and nine more severe ID) and their carers participated in the survey. In which, 74% had one or more psychiatric symptoms; 30% were previously known with a diagnosis of mental illness. One-third of the older people screened positive for dementia. Three quarters of the group had physical health problems, 74% had poor sight, 22% had hearing loss and 30% had mobility problems. Carers rated unmet needs for accommodation (22%), day activities, and eyesight and hearing. The people with ID rated unmet needs to be social relationships (44%), information and physical health. The authors conclude that older people with ID without DS have considerable prevalence of health problems and psychiatric disorders, including symptoms of functional decline and dementia. Such symptoms are often not recognised and further research into their needs is a priority.
Elder disability as an explanation for racial differences in informal home care
- Authors:
- LI Lydia W., FRIES Brant E.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 45(2), April 2005, pp.2-6-215.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and disability levels, this study examines whether differences exist in the structure and function of community-dwelling Black and White frail elders' informal care networks. Data from in-person assessments of Michigan's Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver applicants were analyzed. The sample consisted of 936 Black and 3,182 White frail elderly persons. When sociodemographic characteristics were controlled for, racial differences were found in all informal care components except out-of-home chores. Differences in functional components (amount of care, scope of assistance, and personal care) were largely accounted for by disability, whereas racial differences in the structural components (source of care, living arrangement, and sole caregiver) and in-home chores were not. Findings suggest that Black elders are not better off than White elders in the receipt of informal care. Although Black elders receive more informal help, this difference is primarily because of level of disability. This study calls for heightened awareness of disability among low-income Black elders and the potential burden experienced by their caregivers
Influence of the social network on married and unmarried older adults’ mental health
- Authors:
- STOKES Jeffrey E., MOORMAN Sara M.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 58(6), 2018, p.1109–1113.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: In later life, adults’ social networks grow smaller through a combination of intentional selection and involuntary loss. This study examined whether older adults who lack a high-quality marriage compensate for this using support from other ties. The authors analysed how relationships with family and friends are associated with depressive symptoms across multiple marital statuses. Design and Methods: Data from 3,371 older adults who participated in the most recent wave of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Results: Individuals in high-quality marriages experienced fewer depressive symptoms than the widowed, never married, divorced/separated, and those in lower-quality marriages. Older adults’ perceived family support, family strain, and friend strain were all significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The only difference in these effects according to marital status was for perceived family support, which was strongest for the never married. Implications: The never married may depend more on family and friends than the previously or unhappily married. Any compensation efforts among the latter failed to reduce depressive symptoms relative to happily married others. Older adults in high-quality marriages benefit from their marital relationship, and also benefit from supportive family and friend ties. (Edited publisher abstract)