Abstract
Recognizing depression among older persons is often challenging as they tend to attribute their problems to physical rather than emotional origins. The association between socio-economic factors and depression among 384 older persons was determined through descriptive-correlational design. Path analysis revealed that depression is influenced directly by one’s age (r = .108), education status (r = .514), marital status (r = .011), occupation (r = .003), social status (r = −.116), physical stature (r = .099) and economic status (r = .011). Additionally, the type of community where the older persons dwell and gender have a direct influence on occupation (r = .003) and indirectly affecting depression (r = .103). On the other hand, family component has a direct influence on social status (r = .069) but indirectly influences the occurrence of depression (r = .127). Explicitly, these variables render a predictive path on the occurrence or non-occurrence of depression among the respondents. The study suggests that the diagnosis of depression and its prompt interventions can be traced to the socio-economic dimensions of older persons. Implications to research suggest that determining the antecedents to depression of older persons, this provides a projective analysis which can lead to the development of new knowledge in nursing. This will further influence the holistic management in dealing with an older person’s depression.
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The study underwent review by the Research Ethics Committee and was given clearance for its conduct dated January 11, 2018. Approval to implement the study was likewise obtained from concerned government agencies and local government units of the selected research locale. More importantly, comprehensive disclosure of the project’s protocol, benefits, and disadvantages were provided after which informed consent were sought from the participants. The participants were provided the individual orientation of the study objectives and procedures before they signed the informed consent.
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Nemenzo, E.P., Palompon, D.R. & Bejoc, J.A. Social Factors as Antecedents of Depression among Community-Dwelling Older Persons. Ageing Int 47, 38–54 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-020-09405-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-020-09405-7