Physical Health Status and Depression of a Community-Dwelling Elderly Group

Kim, Nam Cho; Yang, Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe physical health and depression status, as well as to assessing factors that influence the physical health status. METHOD: The data was collected from July to August 2000. Study participants were 252 community-dwelling elderly who were recruited from 10 senior centers located in Seoul, Korea. Their physical health status was measured using the Physical Health Status Measurement Scale developed by Choi and Jung (1991), and depression was measured using BDI-II developed by Beck et al. (1996).
RESULTS
1) The physical health status score was 4.00 +/-0.68 (range :1-5). The sub-dimension that showed the highest score was personal hygiene ability at 4.62+/-0.95, and the lowest score was sexual function at 2.20+/-1.38. 2. The depression score was 17.99+9.79 (range : 0-63). Regarding the sub-dimensions, the depression scores were higher in the domain of interest with sexuality, general weakness, difficulty in concentration, and fatigue. 3. Deeper levels of depression were correlated with a declining physical health status. 4. The most influential factor on physical health was depression, and the explaining variance was 31.68%.
CONCLUSION
It is concluded that elder subjects in senior centers had fairly good physical health and self-care ability. Also, they did not have significantly high levels of depression. Therefor, health promotion of elderly, it is recommended that elder individuals should be regarded as a respectful and useful segment of our society. Along with this basic concept, there should be a social milieu that does not snow prejudice. Moreover, health care professionals should give more attention to helping the elderly achieve a minimal level of ALD, and, particularly, to raise sexuality and help energize the lives of elder individuals.