Depressive symptomatology among Turkish older adults with low incomes in a rural community sample

To identify the characteristics that are associated with depressive symptomatology among Turkish older adults with low income.

Depression is a major threat to mental health in older people, but little is known about older adults with low income at risk for depressive symptomatology in Turkey.

This was a cross-sectional study, based in one area of Istanbul.

The sample included 132 older adults in a rural setting living in Istanbul, Turkey. The participants were 55 years of age or older and chosen from among older adults with low income. Data were collected through a structured interview conducted in the homes of the participants.

High depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale > or =11) were reported by 50% of the participants. Compared with non-depressed individuals, those with depressive symptomatology were more likely to be women, widowed, lack health insurance and to live alone. Depressed participants significantly more often reported chronic health conditions compared to non-depressed participants (OR = 4.11, 95% CI = 1.35, 12.57). Overall well-being scores were significantly higher in men and in the non-depressed group. The result of the Pearson correlation provided support for the association between depression scores and overall well-being scores (r = -0.60).

Depressive symptomatology is prevalent within Turkish older adults with low income. Further research is needed to examine potential risk factors associated with depressive symptomatology for this population.

Findings may assist health care professionals in assessing high-risk older people who could benefit from interventions aimed at minimizing depressive symptoms.