Living Alone and Depression in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Chang (Gudjonsson) Milan, Eymundsdottir Hrafnhildur, Sigurdardottir Sigurveig, Launer Lenore, Gudnason Vilmundur, Jonsson Palmi
Primary Institution: Landspitali University Hospital
Hypothesis
Older individuals living alone may be more prone to high depressive symptoms than those living with others.
Conclusion
Older adults living alone are more likely to experience high depressive symptoms compared to those living with others.
Supporting Evidence
- The study included 4,492 participants with a mean age of 76.3 years.
- High depressive symptomatology was defined as a Geriatric Depression Scale-15 score of 6 or higher.
- Logistic regression was used to analyze the data while adjusting for various factors.
Takeaway
Older people who live by themselves might feel sadder than those who live with family or friends.
Methodology
Logistic regression analysis was performed on participants with a mean age of 76.3 years, adjusting for various factors.
Limitations
Participants with diagnosed dementia and clinical depression were excluded from the analysis.
Participant Demographics
Mean age of 76.3 years, 57.1% were women.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.01
Confidence Interval
1.10 ~ 1.94
Statistical Significance
p <= 0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website