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Association between participant-identified problems and depression severity in problem-solving therapy for low-income homebound older adults
- Author:
- CHOI Namkee G.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 27(5), May 2012, pp.491-499.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined the relationship between the severity of baseline depressive symptoms and the problems that low-income homebound older adults living in Texas (n = 66, mean age 65 years) identified during problem-solving therapy (PST). Depressive symptoms were measured with the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD). Participant-identified problems recorded in the therapists' worksheets were recorded in seven categories of issues: living arrangement/housing, financial/health care expense, family or other relationship, hygiene/task issues, social isolation, physical/functional health, and mental/emotional health. The differences in HAMD scores between those who identified any problem in each category and those who did not were analysed. Participants who had living arrangement/housing and family or other relationship issues had higher baseline HAMD scores than the rest of the participants. At 2-week posttest, those with living arrangement/housing issues continued to have higher HAMD scores than the others, whereas those with family or other relationship issues did not. It was unclear whether family conflict or other relationship issues contributed to their depression or vice versa, but it did seem that PST may have contributed to alleviating depressive symptoms associated with these issues. Difficult living/housing situations appeared to have a depressive effect and could not be easily resolved within the short time frame of the PST process.