[Coping strategies of older people with low mood].
BACKGROUND
To gain new insights for support for older people with low mood, we explored the perceptions of 'screenpositive' older people on underlying causes and possible solutions.


METHODS
We conducted two in-depth interviews with 38 participants (≥77 years) who screened positive for depressive symptoms in general practice. To investigate the influence of the presence of complex health problems, we included 19 persons with and 19 without complex problems. Complex problems were defined as a combination of functional, somatic, psychological or social problems.


RESULTS
All participants used several cognitive, social or practical coping strategies. Four patterns emerged: mastery, acceptance, ambivalence, and need for support. Some participants, especially those with complex problems, were ambivalent about possible interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
Most older participants perceived their coping strategies as sufficient. General practitioners can support self-management by exploring the (effectiveness of) personal coping strategies, providing information, elaborating on perceptions of risks and discussing alternative options with older persons.
Afdeling Public Health en Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, Nederland.|Marente, Voorhout, Nederland.
Margaret
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6129-4581
M
von Faber
Afdeling Richtlijnontwikkeling en Wetenschap, Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap, Utrecht, Nederland.
Gerda M
GM
van der Weele
Afdeling Public Health en Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, Nederland.
Geertje
G
van der Geest
Afdeling Public Health en Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, Nederland.
Jeanet W
JW
Blom
GGD Hollands Midden, Leiden, Nederland.
Nicolette
N
van der Zouwe
Afdeling Public Health en Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, Nederland.|Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Nederland.|The Children's Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Zuid-Afrika.
Ria
R
Reis
Afdeling Psychiatrie, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Nederland.|Afdeling Psychiatrie, CAPRI-Universiteit van Antwerpen, Antwerp, België.
Roos C
RC
van der Mast
Afdeling Public Health en Eerstelijnsgeneeskunde, Leiden University Medical Center, Postbus 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, Nederland. J.Gussekloo@lumc.nl.
Jacobijn
J
Gussekloo
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*
Depressive symptoms; Interventions; Low mood; Older people