Depression among elderly people. A psychosocial study of urban and rural populations.
A total of 317 elderly subjects randomly selected among people living in the community in 1 urban and 2 rural areas were studied by means of a semistructured clinical interview, the Social Adjustment Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. An emerging trend was demonstrated towards a higher rate of prevalence of depression among females and urban residents. Widowhood, absence of a confidant, poor education and financial difficulties (only among urban elderly people) were significantly correlated with rates of depression. Physical impairments and diseases were also associated with depression, independently of whether subjects lived alone. The findings are discussed using a psychosocial frame of reference.
Carpiniello
B
B
Institute of Clinical Psychiatry, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Carta
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MG
Rudas
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N
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D010556:Personality Tests; D012424:Rural Population; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population