Correlates of depression in rural women with physical disabilities.
OBJECTIVE
To describe demographic and disability-related characteristics, to examine the patterns of treatment for depression, and to investigate correlates of depression severity and predictors of who receives treatment among a sample of depressed rural women with physical disabilities.


METHODS
A correlational analysis of data gathered from women recruited for a depression intervention study.


METHODS
Rural centers for independent living located in nine different states across the United States.


METHODS
Women (N=134) who reported at least mild depression and expressed interest in participating in a depression intervention study.


METHODS
Depressive symptomatology based on the Beck Depression Inventory-II; treatment for depression in the past 3 months.


RESULTS
The majority of participants reported moderate to severe depression (n=101, 75.4%), with nearly 20% reporting thoughts of suicide. At risk of severe depression were women who were younger, had greater problems with pain, had more limited mobility, and were less satisfied with their social network. Despite the high levels of depressive symptomatology in the sample, more than one third of the women had not received recent treatment for depression.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that depression and access to treatment are critical issues for women with physical disabilities living in rural areas.
Hughes
Rosemary B
RB
Rural Institute on Disabilities at the University of Montana, Missoula. She conducted this study while working with the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.. Electronic address: rhughes@ruralinstitute.umt.edu.
Nosek
Margaret A
MA
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
Robinson-Whelen
Susan
S
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health