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Depression in medical in-patients
S J Rosenberg1, R A Peterson, J R Hayes
1Menninger Foundation, Topeka, K5 66601.
The British Journal of Medical Psychology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Significant depressive symptoms affect 20-33% of general medicine inpatients. Pre-hospitalization depression and perceived physician support are key factors, not objective illness characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Medical Psychology
- Inpatient Health
- Clinical Depression
Background:
- Depressive symptoms are prevalent in hospitalized general medicine patients, affecting 20-33% during their stay.
- Understanding factors contributing to inpatient depression is crucial for improving patient care and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between illness/hospitalization characteristics, patient characteristics, and environmental factors with inpatient medical depression.
- To identify key predictors of depressive symptoms in general medical inpatients.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 71 general medical inpatients.
- Utilized multiple regression analysis to examine relationships between variables.
- Assessed objective illness/hospitalization data, patient characteristics, and environmental perceptions.
Main Results:
- Inpatient depression was significantly associated with pre-hospitalization depression and social functioning.
- Patient perceptions of physician supportiveness and illness-related life disruption were also key predictors.
- Objective illness or hospitalization variables did not correlate with depression levels during hospitalization.
Conclusions:
- Pre-existing depression and social factors, along with patient perceptions, significantly influence inpatient depression.
- Physician support and cognitive appraisal of illness impact mood, highlighting psychological and social factors over objective medical status.
- Findings support life-stress, social interaction, and cognitive appraisal models in understanding medical depression.