The Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Older Adults Living in Care Homes in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Living in a care home is associated with depressive symptoms among older adults. Possible factors related to depressive symptoms include the stigma associated with living in a care home and a low level of perceived quality of life. However, there is limited knowledge on the relationship between quality of life and depressive symptoms, with only a study having been conducted among older female adults. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional survey study was to explore the factors associated with quality of life and depressive symptoms among older adults living in care homes in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. The study was conducted among 85 older adults residing in two care homes. The questionnaires included the Thai version of the 15 item Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS-15), which had a reliability of .82, and the Thai version of the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI), which had a reliability of .84. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between depressive symptoms and quality of life among older adults. The results of the study illustrated that 32.9% of older adults were experiencing some level of depressive symptoms (n = 28) and 61.17%. perceived that they had good level of quality of life (n = 52). In addition, the results showed a statistically significant negative relationship between quality of life and depressive symptoms among older adults (r = -0.583, p < 0.001).  This illustrates a moderate relationship exists. Wherefore, older adults, who report a high level of quality of life would have a lower level of depressive symptoms. Therefore, organizations related to care homes should develop and promote a good quality of life among the older adults living in the care homes as this will reduce, or prevent, depressive symptoms among this population.