J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2010 Jun;19(2):196-204. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2010.19.2.196.

Depression, Powerlessness, Social Support, and Socioeconomic Status in Middle Aged Community Residents

• Choi MK
• Lee YH

• KMID: 2321832
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2010.19.2.196

Abstract

PURPOSE
The main purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing depression in middle aged people in relation to powerlessness, social support, and sociodemographic variables.
METHODS
The questionnaire survey was carried out with a convenience sample of 160 middle aged people in a community setting. The data analysis procedures included frequency, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression using depression as the dependent variable.
RESULTS
The prevalence of depression was 44.4%. There were significant differences in depression by number of members in the family, education, economic status, and subjective health status. Powerlessness was significantly different according to gender, economic status, and subjective health status. and social support according to economic status and subjective health status. Depression showed significant correlations with powerlessness and social support. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that factors significantly affecting variance included economic status, number of members in the family, powerlessness, and social support. These factors explained 43% of variance in depression.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that to prevent the occurrence of depression, socio-environmental aspects including economic state should be considered when developing interventions for middle aged adults.

Keyword

Middle aged; Depression; Powerlessness; Social support; Socioeconomic Status

MeSH Terms

Adult
Depression*
Education
Humans
Middle Aged*
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Social Class*
Statistics as Topic

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