Comparison of the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among elderly nursing home residents in Taiwan and Hong Kong

Yun Fang Tsai*, Joanne W.Y. Chung, Thomas K.S. Wong, Chiu Mieh Huang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Depression in the elderly has become a serious health care issue worldwide. However, no studies have compared the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among institutionalized Chinese elders living in different regions. Objectives: To explore and compare the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms among elderly residents of nursing homes in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Methods: Random sampling was used to recruit participants from eight nursing homes in each region. A total of 150 elders from Taiwan and 214 elders from Hong Kong participated. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms was significantly higher in participants from Hong Kong (65.4%) than in Taiwan (43.3%). Logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, satisfaction with living situation, perceived health condition, and perceived income adequacy significantly predicted depressive symptoms in elderly nursing home residents in Taiwan. Significant predictors of depressive symptoms in the Hong Kong sample were satisfaction with living situation, cognitive status, and functional status. Conclusions: It is important to consider risk factors specific to a target population when developing depression intervention programs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)315-321
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume20
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 04 2005

Keywords

  • Chinese
  • Depressive symptoms
  • Elderly
  • Nursing home

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