The relationships among health functioning indicators and depression in older adults with diabetes.
A common health problem among the elderly with diabetes is the onset of depressive symptoms that can adversely affect self-care and control of diabetes. The study examined the relationships of gender, race, comorbid conditions, symptom distress, and functional status with depression in a sample (N = 55) of older adults with diabetes. Most participants were female and black; mean age was 73 years. Gender and symptom distress were the strongest predictors of depression, accounting for 53% of the variance in depression. Although the sample was reasonably high functioning with only moderate levels of symptom distress, these findings serve as an important reminder for nurses that even moderate levels of symptom distress may be an indicator of depressive symptomatology among older diabetic adults.
Hu
Jie
J
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, School of Nursing, Greensboro, North Carolina 27402-6170, USA. jie_hu@uncg.edu
Amoako
Emelia P
EP
Gruber
Kenneth J
KJ
Rossen
Eileen K
EK
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012803:Sick Role; D001741:Black or African American