A Causal Model of Depression Among Older Adults in Chon Buri Province, Thailand

Abstract

The purposes of this study are to develop and empirically test a theoretical model that examines the relationships between a set of predictors and depression among older adults. A biopsychosocial model was tested with 317 community dwelling older adults residing in Chon Buri Province, Thailand. A face-to-face interview was used in a cross-sectional community-based survey. A hypothesized model of depression was tested by using path analysis. It was found that the modified model fitted the data and the predictors accounted for 60% of the variance in depression. Female gender, activities of daily living, loneliness, stressful life events, and emotional-focused coping had a positive direct effect on depression. Social support and problem-focused coping had a negative direct effect on depression. Additionally, perceived stress, stressful life events, loneliness, and income had a negative indirect effect on depression through social support. Female gender, activities of daily living, and perceived stress also had a positive indirect effect on depression through emotional-focused coping. Stressful life events, perceived stress, and income had a negative indirect effect on depression through problem-focused coping. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the variables that predict depression in older adults. Thus, health care providers should consider the effects of these contributing factors on depression in the older adult person and can devise a program to prevent and promote health in older adults alleviating depression.

Stressful Life Events and Chinese Older People Depression: Moderating Role of Social Support

“…Indeed, females are distressed by network relationships, but males are affected by job or financial problems, both of which lead to depression (19). Illnesses, functional impairment, and perceived deteriorating health are also highly correlated with depression (5,6,9,19,27,28). Chronic illnesses, that leads to functional decline, can be regarded as a risk factor for depression (30).…”

“…However, when facing widowhood, older women are less vulnerable than older men (34). Stressful life events are still risk factors for depression and are predictors of the onset and relapse of depression (5,6,15,19,28,(35)(36)(37). However, previous research has covered many risk factors related to depression but only partly underlined the association between stressful life events and depression (20).…”

“…The weighted prevalence of any mental disorder excluding dementia was reported to be 9.3% for the preceding 12 months and 16.6% for lifetime prevalence; the prevalence of depression was 4.2% in 2017, as estimated by the World Health Organization (1,2). Depression is a long-term and easily recurrent mental disorder that can cause considerable loss in health and functioning, including functional impairment, low quality of life, high risk of suicide, and immense burdens not only for individuals but also for families and societies (1,(3)(4)(5)(6). Depression is ranked as the largest single factor of disability worldwide (1).…”

Factors Related to Depression among Older People Living in Homes for the Aged of the Western Part of Thailand

“…Furthermore, some studies (Piboon et al, 2012) mentioned that getting old, being female, health status, greater number of chronic illnesses or, functional status such as Activities of Daily Living (Jitaree, 2555), social support, grief and loss experience were associated with depression. Some previous studies demonstrated the issues and problems of depression in nursing homes located in many cities in Thailand such as Bangkok (Somporn, 2011), Chiang Mai (Suwattanakoop, 2013;Wongpakaran & Wongpakaran, 2012) and Nakhonratchasima (Satra, 1988).…”

“…Consequently, suicide may impact them later (Bolger, 2005). Risk factors which are the leading causes of late life depression are physical impairment or comorbidity (such as chronic illnesses, pain) (Piboon, Subgranon, Hengudomsub, Wongnam, & Louise Callen, 2012), bereavement, adverse life events, loneliness, and social isolation (Bolger, 2005).…”