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Social support and depression as risk factors for loss of physical function in late life
- Authors:
- HAYS J.C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 1(3), August 1997, pp.209-220.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Poor physical functioning in older people is a robust predictor of not only medical service use and institutionalisation but also mortality. This article assess whether depressive symptoms and low social support would predict deficits in three domains of physical function among community-dwelling older adults in North Carolina over one year. Results found that instrumental support and subjective social support protected elders against declines, and subjective social support buffered the detrimental effect of depression on risk of physical decline. Suggests that significant risk of functional impairment could be reduced among older people if coincidental depressive symptoms could be alleviated and/or deficits in their social environment remedied.
Seasonal changes in psychological well-being in an elderly population
- Authors:
- EAGLES John M., McLEOD Isabella H., DOUGLAS Stuart
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 171, July 1997, pp.53-55.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Little is known about seasonal fluctuations in psychological well-being among elderly people. Over a period of 21 months, elderly people completed the General Health Questionnaire and the Leeds Scales for Depression and Anxiety. Scores during the winter months (December to February) were compared with those during other months of the year. Concludes that elderly people exhibit a small seasonal fluctuation in psychological well-being, which is probably of little clinical importance, and there is no gender difference. The findings support the contention that seasonal mood changes are most pronounced among females of reproductive age.
Social networks and the prediction of elderly people at risk
- Author:
- WENGER G. Clare
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 1(4), November 1997, pp.311-320.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The relationship between social support and risk has been well-documented. Presents a typology of support networks found amongst older people living in the community. Describes the distinguishing features of five different types of networks and presents a risk profile for each network type is presented. Addresses the significance of the identification of support network for practice, decision making and intervention with particular reference to: social isolation, hospital discharge, admissions to residential care and mental illness.
Cognitive impairment and social distress as different pathways to depression in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
- Authors:
- CERVILLA Jorge A., PRINCE Martin J.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 12(10), October 1997, pp.995-1000.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Investigates the recent suggestions that some putative aetiological factors for depression such as cerebral deterioration and social distress may act differently in the aetiology of depression in old age. A community sample of older people were interviewed and information was collected on potential risk factors for depression such as exposure to social support deficit, threatening life events, impairment, disability and handicap. Analysis of the results lend some support to the notion of at least two differential pathways to depression in the elderly, one via social distress factors and another mediated by cerebral deterioration clinically expressed as cognitive impairment. Proposes that early recognition of cognitive disorders and interventions directed towards higher levels of social support provision in the community may be beneficial in preventing depression in the elderly.
Care-related decision-making satisfaction and caregiver well-being in families caring for older members
- Authors:
- SMERGLIA Virginia L., DEIMLING Gary T.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 37(5), October 1997, pp.658-665.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Examines the impact of structural variables (caregiver type, elder impairment) and family environment (adaptability, conflict, cohesion) on satisfaction with care-related decision making and caregiver well-being, Regression analysis results indicate that aspects of family environment such as adaptability and conflict are the best predictors of decision-making satisfaction. After caregiver type (adult child/spouse), family adaptability and decision-making satisfaction are the best predictors of caregiver depression.
Mental disorders among the community-dwelling elderly in Dublin
- Authors:
- KIRBY M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 171, October 1997, pp.369-372.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Reports on a study to determine the prevalence of mental disorders among the community-dwelling elderly in the catchment area of a psychiatry service for the elderly in Dublin. Concludes that depression is the most common mental disorder among the elderly in Dublin. Found that the frequency of anxiety symptoms in the presentation of depression may be a factor in the under-diagnosis or misdiagnosis of depression in the community-dwelling elderly.
Can delays in the recognition of dementia in primary care be avoided?
- Author:
- ILIFFE S.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 1(1), February 1997, pp.7-10.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Dementia is a complex problem that may be difficult in its early stages and hard to manage as it progresses. Dementia may only become apparent to the GP when revealed in a crisis precipitated by the absence of the usual carer or by the onset of another illness; although symptoms may have been present for a long period of time. This article reviews the reasons for such delays in the diagnosis of dementia in primary care and proposes an agenda for development of primary care services for dementia suffers and their carers that may avoid crises or at least allow appropriate responses to them.
A longitudinal study of well-being in widowed women
- Author:
- BENNETT Kate
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 12(1), January 1997, pp.61-66.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Assesses changes in mental and physical health, morale and social functioning in a random sample of elderly women widowed during the course of an 8-year study, compared with never-married and still-married controls. The sample as a whole showed age-related declines in mental and physical health. As a function of ageing there were increases in personal disturbance and in physical health problems and declines in both morale and social engagement. However, over and above these age-related changes the widows showed significant changes in mental health. There were decreases in morale after widowhood, followed by slight increases in morale in the longer term. Similarly, there were increases in personal disturbance following widowhood, with slight decreases later. The results confirm that, even after several years, widowhood has differential effects on well-being and morale.
Meaning in caregiving and its contribution to caregiver well-being
- Authors:
- NOONAN Anne E., TENNSTEDT Sharon L.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 37(6), December 1997, pp.785-794.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Examines the relationship between meaning in caregiving - positive beliefs about the caregiving situation and the self as caregiver - and the psychological well-being of informal caregivers to community-residing frail elders in the USA. Measures of well-being included depression, self-esteem, mastery, role captivity, and loss of self. The conceptual parameters of meaning in caregiving are discussed, as are directions for future research.
Elder abuse, mental health and later life: steps towards an understanding
- Authors:
- PENHALE B., KINGSTON P.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 1(4), November 1997, pp.296-304.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Discusses how in recent years there has been an increased emphasis on violence and abuse within society and in particular the abuse and neglect of older people. Considers the potential role that issues related to mental health and later life might contribute towards providing a greater understanding of the linked phenomena of elder abuse and neglect. Aims to provide a consideration of factors from the field of mental health and in particular the mental health of older people which might increase both knowledge and understanding of elder abusive situations and assist in the search for resolution to such problems.