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The Association between Social Contacts and Depressive Symptoms among Elderly Koreans
- Source :
- Psychiatry Investigation
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- Korean Neuropsychiatric Association, 2018.
-
Abstract
- OBJECTIVE South Korea has an increasing aging population; thus, the management of depressive symptoms in elderly individuals is important. In this population, fewer social contacts might be a risk factor for depressive symptoms. We examined associations between the frequency of social contacts and depressive symptoms among elderly Koreans and factors associated with these symptoms. METHODS Data from 62,845 individuals over 65 years of age enrolled in the 2015 Community Health Survey were used in this study. Logistic regression was performed to test the association between depressive symptoms and social contacts. RESULTS Individuals who had contact with neighbors less than once a week were more likely to experience depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR): 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.35] compared to those who had contact more than once a week. Individuals who had frequent contact with neighbors and friends, neighbors and relatives, or all three groups were significantly less likely to experience depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION The frequency of social contact with neighbors was the most powerful factor associated with elderly adults' depressive symptoms among other social relationships. Additional senior welfare centers may facilitate the ability of elderly individuals in meeting neighbors, thereby reducing the risk of depressive symptoms.
- Subjects :
- Population ageing
media_common.quotation_subject
Neighbors
Population
Logistic regression
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Medicine
030212 general & internal medicine
Risk factor
education
Biological Psychiatry
media_common
education.field_of_study
business.industry
Depressive symptoms
Odds ratio
Confidence interval
Psychiatry and Mental health
Older adults
Community health
Social contacts
Original Article
business
Welfare
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Demography
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19763026 and 17383684
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Psychiatry Investigation
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0c42a067c7d258f1cfc8f112902077d2