The prevalence of hopelessness among adults: disability and other related factors.
BACKGROUND
Hopelessness has become an important issue in the fields of health and social care.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to determine the prevalence of hopelessness and its association with the current health condition, disability, and other socio-demographic characteristics.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study sampled a population of 501 adults in Bolu, Turkey. Questionnaires included the Household Questionnaire, the Health Condition Questionnaire, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and Brief Disability Questionnaire. Data were collected through face-to-face home interviews between September 29 and October 11, 2003.


RESULTS
The prevalence of hopelessness was 30.9%. It was higher among the literate (60.0%) (p < 0.05), males (35.0%) (p > 0.05), and agricultural workers and peasants (50.0%, 41.9%) (p < 0.05). Almost half of the participants were disabled, and 44.6% of the subjects with disabilities were hopeless (p < 0.05). Being without hope was statistically significant with gender, social class, perceived health, and disability (p < 0.05). The risk of hopelessness increased in subjects with perceived bad health, lowered social class, and disability, compared with the reference groups.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, hopelessness prevalence was high and it was also associated with the current state of health, perceived health, disability, and some socio-demographic variables. It will be important to increase the number of studies related to hopelessness and associated factors for improved mental health services planning at population level.
Hamzaoglu
Onur
O
Department of Public Health, Kocaeli University, Umuttepe, Kocaeli, Turkey. ohamzaoglu@kocaceli.edu.tr
Ozkan
Ozlem
O
Ulusoy
Mahir
M
Gokdogan
Feray
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009013:Morale; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology