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Self-rated health as a moderator of the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms in older adults
- Authors:
- JAHN Danielle R., CUKROWICZ Kelly C.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(3), April 2012, pp.281-287.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
A variety of risk factors have been linked to depression. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between functional impairment, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms. Previous research has indicated that self-rated health and functional impairment each contribute to depressive symptoms. This study sought to determine if self-rated health moderates the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms in a sample of older adults. A community sample of 106 adults aged 60 and above was recruited from primary care clinics; 98 of these participants had usable data. The participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, functional impairment, and self-rated physical health. The finding showed that self-rated health moderated the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms. For participants with poor self-rated health, greater functional impairment was associated with greater depressive symptoms. The paper concludes that patient perceptions of health may be protective against depressive symptoms for those with functional impairment.
Phenomenology of depression in older compared with younger adults: meta-analysis
- Authors:
- HEGEMAN J. M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 200(4), April 2012, pp.275-281.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Late-life depression may present differently to early-life depression. Conceptual and methodological limitations and the inherent subjectivity of narrative reviews have made it difficult to draw firm conclusions. This study was designed to investigate the effect of age on the phenomenology of major depression. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO for studies examining the relation between age and phenomenology of major depression according to RDC, DSM and ICD criteria. Inclusion criteria required age groups to be compared at the single-item level using the 17-, 21- or 24-item versions of the Hamilton Rating Scale. A meta-analysis was undertaken for each item of the 17-item scale. Eleven papers met the inclusion criteria. When compared with younger depressed adults, older adults demonstrated more agitation, hypochondriasis and general as well as gastrointestinal somatic symptoms, but less guilt and loss of sexual interest. The authors conclude that the experience of late-life depression differs only in part from that of early-life depression. Older people may have a more somatic presentation, whereas feelings of guilt and loss of sexual function may be more prevalent in younger people.
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.
Understanding health anxiety among community dwelling seniors with varying degrees of frailty
- Authors:
- BOURGAULT-FAGNOU Michelle D., HADJISTAVROPOULOS Heather D.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(2), March 2009, pp.226-237.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The levels of health anxiety among younger adults and older people, with either low or high levels of frailty were compared. Predictors of health anxiety in older people were explored. Forty-nine seniors with high levels of frailty were compared with 63 seniors with low levels of frailty and 130 younger adults. Comparisons were made on the Illness Attitudes Scale (IAS) and on a Medically Adjusted Illness Attitudes Scale, an adapted version ensuring scores reflect health anxiety, and not greater illness. Seniors also completed measures of frailty, pain, depression, trait anxiety and coping. Results varied depending on the health anxiety measure. Using the traditional IAS, seniors with high frailty experienced greater levels of health anxiety than seniors with low-frailty and younger adults. Using the medically adjusted version, seniors with high frailty experienced similar levels of heath anxiety compared with younger adults; seniors with low frailty had the lowest levels of health anxiety. Using multiple regression analysis, emotional preoccupation and trait anxiety uniquely predicted health anxiety among seniors. Researchers and clinicians should ensure that health anxiety measures actually assess health anxiety and not physical illness. Using an appropriate health anxiety measure, the results suggest seniors with relatively fewer health problems may experience reduced health anxiety compared with other older adults and younger adults. The results are considered in the context of research on aging and anxiety. Implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed.
The nature of informal caregiving for medically ill older people with and without depression
- Authors:
- McCUSKER Jane, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 24(3), March 2009, pp.239-246.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In this Canadian study 154 patient-caregiver pairs were recruited from a larger prospective observational study of three groups of medical inpatients aged 65 and over, with major, minor, and no depression, respectively, and with at most mild cognitive impairment. Interviews were conducted at the time of hospital admission to assess characteristics of patients (disability, comorbidity, perceptions of support) and caregivers (relationship, residence, types of assistance and time spent caregiving). Time spent on the physical tasks of caregiving (assistance with activities of daily living, physical care, transport) was estimated by all caregivers. Time spent on emotional or other support was estimated only for non-coresident caregivers. In multivariable analyses, neither major nor minor depression was associated with time spent on physical support; major depression was associated with significantly increased time spent by non-coresident caregivers on emotional or other support; minor depression was associated with perceived inadequacy of support. Major depression is independently associated with greater time spent by non-coresident caregivers on emotional or other support; minor depression is associated with perceived inadequacy of support.
A winter's tale
- Author:
- POWNALL Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Community Practitioner, 71(12), December 1998, pp.401-402.
- Publisher:
- Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association
The onset of winter brings familiar tales of elderly people at risk of illness and death from cold temperatures. The author asks why the winter months are so dangerous for the UK's elderly population when in other, colder countries no such problems occur.
The process of managing the dietary regimen in elderly people with diabetes
- Author:
- ALBRIGHT Judith
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 2(1), January 1994, pp.41-52.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Describes a study of the dietary habits of overweight elderly people with Type II diabetes; a social psychological process which identifies strategies used to adhere to a weight loss dietary regimen is described.
Social work approach to health in older people
- Author:
- SCRUTTON S.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Today, 28.7.88, 1988, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
Calls for a holistic approach rather than a mechanical one, in which social work does not play second fiddle to the health professionals.
Mental and physical health practices of older people : a guide for health professionals
- Authors:
- BRODY Elaine M., et al
- Publisher:
- Springer
- Publication year:
- 1985
- Pagination:
- 272p., tables, bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- New York
Age and vulnerability : a guide to better care
- Author:
- STEVENSON Olive
- Publisher:
- Edward Arnold
- Publication year:
- 1983
- Pagination:
- 136p., diags., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
A guide to the needs of frail old people with particular emphasis on community care.