We investigated the correlation of depression in elderly people living at home in rural areas with demographic factors (gender, age), health factors (TMIG index of competence, subjective health status, history of treatment at medical institutions), and social structure (educational background, family composition, provision of care, income, regional characteristics). These factors were used as a depression scale for elderly people in Japan. The subjects were selected by stratified random sampling from 2,200 elderly (over 65 years old) people living at home in five districts of Hokkaido. Valid responses were obtained from 928 people (mean age : 72.0 years), descriptive statistics, multiple arrangement diffusion analysis and multivariate analysis were used for the statistical analysis. According to the results of analysis, the mean score on the depression scale for elderly people was 4.36 (standard deviation=2.73). The incidence of depression was 5.4%. It was also found that the factors related to the onset of depression in elderly people living at home in rural areas were not only age, gender, subjective health status and activity capability but also factors of social structure such as family composition, educational background, and income. These results suggest that a reduction in income and loss of family function, without any compensatory support by people and by society, are factors that may lead not only to the onset of depression but may even be life-threatening.
View full abstract