The relationship between depression, frailty, and successful aging in older adults: a cross-sectional study

To examine the relationship between depression, frailty, and successful aging among older adults receiving primary healthcare services in Türkiye.

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with 263 community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older who visited primary healthcare centers between April and June 2024. Data were collected through a sociodemographic and health information form, the Geriatric Depression Scale-5 (GDS-5), the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), and the Successful Aging Scale (SAS). Statistical significance was accepted at p < .05.

The mean age of participants was 71.05 ± 6.51 years; 55.1% were female and 73.4% had chronic illness. The mean GDS-5 score was 2.30 ± 1.13, with 74.9% at risk of depression. The mean EFS score was 5.30 ± 3.64, with 51.3% classified as frail at varying levels. The mean SAS score was 49.77 ± 11.35, indicating moderate successful aging. Regression analysis revealed that physician-diagnosed depression (B = -7.103, p < .001), depression risk (B = -3.222, p = .011), and frailty (B values ranging from -5.987 to -19.322, p < .001) were significant negative predictors of successful aging, explaining 42.0% of the variance (Adjust R²: 0.420, p < .001).

Depression and frailty significantly reduce successful aging in older adults. Routine screening, early diagnosis, and nursing interventions targeting these geriatric syndromes are essential for enhancing the quality of aging. Policymakers should also implement educational, social, and economic support programs to foster successful aging at the community level.