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Socio-cultural factors in late onset depression
V Ramachandran1, M S Menon, S Arunagiri
1Additional Professor of Psychiatry, Madras Medical College, Madras-600 003, and Neuropsychiatrist, Institute of Mental Health, Madras-600 010.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
|October 4, 2011
Summary
This study surveyed 406 Indian adults over 50, finding depression to be the most common mental health diagnosis. Factors like female sex and low social class were significantly associated with depression in this population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Mental health disorders in older adults are a growing public health concern.
- Understanding the prevalence and associated factors of mental illness in diverse populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research has highlighted the impact of socio-economic and demographic factors on mental well-being in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an epidemiological survey of mental health disorders among individuals over 50 in a suburban Indian community.
- To determine the prevalence of different psychiatric diagnoses, with a focus on depression.
- To identify socio-demographic and other factors associated with depression in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A house-to-house survey was conducted among 406 residents aged over 50 in a suburban Indian area.
- Participants underwent examination for psychiatric diagnoses, including organic psychoses, schizophrenia, depression, and other functional disorders.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with depression.
Main Results:
- Depression was the most common diagnosis, affecting 24.1% of the surveyed population aged over 50.
- Other diagnoses included organic psychoses (13 subjects), schizophrenia (3 subjects), and other functional disorders (28 subjects).
- Significant associations with depression included female sex, low social class, widowed status, unemployment, low education, nuclear family structure, living alone, and high incidence of physical illness.
Conclusions:
- Depression is highly prevalent among older adults in this Indian suburban community.
- Several socio-demographic, familial, and health-related factors are significantly associated with depression in this population.
- The findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive mental health support systems for the elderly in India, considering factors like Hindu philosophy and the Indian family system.
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