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Assessment of anxiety in older home care recipients
- Authors:
- DIEFENBACH Gretchen J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 49(2), April 2009, pp.141-153.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study determined the psychometric properties of a variety of anxiety measures administered to older adults receiving home care services. Data were collected from 66 adults aged 65 years and older who were receiving home care services. Participants completed self-report and clinician-rated measures of anxiety and diagnostic interviews for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Most measures demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties. All of the measures showed excellent interrater reliability to support verbal administration, which is the typical mode of assessment in home care. The ease of use for each measure (e.g., time of administration) was also evaluated. The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) demonstrated the strongest and the Beck Anxiety Inventory the weakest psychometric properties. The GAI and the GAD screening questions from The Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD) Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) demonstrated the greatest utility in screening for anxiety disorders (either GAD or anxiety disorder not otherwise specified). Implications: These data support the use of anxiety measures within a geriatric home care setting. The strengths and weaknesses of each measure are discussed to facilitate selection of the optimal measure depending upon assessment goals and available resources.
Anxious depression among Puerto Rican and African-American older adults
- Authors:
- DIEFENBACH Gretchen J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(1), January 2009, pp.118-126.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Interviews were conducted with 218 Puerto Rican and 206 African American older (age ≥60) urban senior housing residents. Data were collected on diagnostic status, depression severity and psychosocial functioning. Results indicated a higher prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxious depression among Puerto Rican participants. Anxious depression was associated with more severe ratings of distress and suicidality compared with MDD alone, and the impact of depression and anxiety was most pronounced for the Puerto Rican participants. Puerto Rican participants also reported poorer subjective health and more substantial disability; however, these effects were independent of depression or anxiety status. Anxious depression is common among older ethnic minority adults and the impact of these symptoms differs by race/ethnicity. These results highlight the importance of conducting culturally sensitive assessments of depression and anxiety among older adults.