title: Correlates of self-reported depressive symptoms: a study of older persons of Punjab, Pakistan.
abstract: This paper examines the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms among older persons of Punjab, the largest Province of Pakistan. Data were gathered from 4191 older persons aged 60+ using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) of population. A version of the CES-D Scale adapted for low-literate populations was used to measure self reported depressive symptoms. Various independent factors, including socioeconomic factors, self-reported health conditions, and functional impairments were examined to see their net effect on depressive symptoms among older persons. Results of logistic regression analysis showed that region, area, living index, independent source of income, self-reported health conditions, and functional impairment were significant factors affecting self-reported depressive symptoms among older persons in Punjab. An important cross-cultural difference was a lower risk of depressive symptoms among older women, which may reflect the buffering effects of family co-residence and the position of seniors in extended families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Fauzia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maqsood
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Flatt
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Sidra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maqsood
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nizamuddin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data