Living alone and depression: the modifying role of the perceived neighborhood environment

Abstract

Objective Older adults who live alone are more likely to report feelings of depression than those who live with a spouse or other family members. This study examines the effects of residential status and perceived neighborhood characteristics on depression in middle-aged and older adults. Methods This study is based on a probability sample of 1049 adults aged 55–98 years (M = 69 years) residing in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA, USA in 2014. Thirty percent of participants reported living alone. We tested a multivariate model using living alone (vs. living with a family member or others) and perceived neighborhood physical and social quality as predictors of depressive symptomatology while controlling for age, sex, race, education, and disability. Results Living alone (compared to living with a family member) was associated with elevated levels of depressive symptomatology. However, perceptions of neighborhood social quality moderated this association. Living alone was more highly associated with depression when the perceived social quality of the neighborhood was low. Neighborhood social quality was not associated with depression among older adults who lived with a family member. Perceptions of neighborhood physical quality were not significantly associated with depression. Conclusions Perceptions of good neighborhood social quality is important for adults who live alone, in terms of fewer symptoms of depression.

Social participation, health‐related behavior, and depression of older adults living alone in Korea

“…A recent report by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea () indicated that 30.2% of older adults living alone had depressive symptoms, while 16.4% of those living with partners and 21.7% of those living with adult children experienced the same. The vulnerability of this population to depression is also well noted in other countries; studies routinely find that older adults living alone are more likely to experience depression than those living with other family members (Stahl, Beach, Musa, & Schulz, ; Xiu‐Ying, Qian, Xiao‐Dong, Xue‐Mei, & Chang‐Quan, ).…”

“…Weakened or absent social relationships among older adults is considered a serious public health issue (Liu, Ozodiegwu, Yu, Hess, & Rie, ), as it is known to increase the risk of depression (Chou et al, ; Kim, ; Park, ; Lee et al, ; Stahl et. al., ). Studies examining depression among older adults both in Korea and other countries have note that reduced social participation, social networks, and social support are strongly associated with an increased risk of depression (Arslantas et al, ; Chang & Kim, ; Chou et al, ; Dean, Kolody, Wood, & Matt, ; Lee et al, ).…”

“…They are often more economically vulnerable (Chae et. al., ), and they are also more likely to be socially isolated (Stahl et al, ). Weakened or absent social relationships among older adults is considered a serious public health issue (Liu, Ozodiegwu, Yu, Hess, & Rie, ), as it is known to increase the risk of depression (Chou et al, ; Kim, ; Park, ; Lee et al, ; Stahl et.…”

Associated factors for cognitive impairment in the rural highly elderly

“…The elderly who live alone have fewer chances to communicate with others (Margolis & Verdery, 2017). It could make the person feel lonely and depressed (Stahl, Beach, Musa, & Schulz, 2017). This would have a negative effect on maintaining cognitive function in the elderly living alone.…”

Estudo comparativo do perfil de idosos atendidos em um hospital terciário: ambulatório de psiquiatria geriátrica e unidade de internação psiquiátrica

“…de um ente querido resulta em isolamento social e solidão, que são fatores de risco significativos para a saúde mental e baixa qualidade de vida. 18 Por outro lado, no grupo proveniente da internação foi observado 23,1% de divorciados. Provavelmente, estes pacientes, devido ao seu próprio perfil, tinham mais dificuldade de manter relações interpessoais.…”