Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Elderly Individuals Living in Urban Communities

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most significant mental illnesses in the elderly population. Societal and economic changes in the social structure, particularly in urban communities, have led to a tendency toward depression in the elderly. Therefore, understanding the factors associated with depression among the elderly living in urban areas in Thailand is important to prevent and mitigate depression. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proportion of depression and its associated factors in the elderly living in Bangkok. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study with a sample size of 888 people living in Thai urban communities, including those in slum, urban, suburban, and high-rise building areas. A two-parts questionnaire was used: 1) the Thai Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS) to assess depression and 2) associated factors. RESULTS: The overall percentage of depression in the sample population was 7.3%, and the proportion of depression was associated with community density (p = 0.031). The factors significantly associated with depression in the elderly included anxiety about an underlying disease [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.51; 95% CI 3.47–16.27], family conflict (AOR = 6.30; 95% CI 1.34–29.55), family history of psychiatric illness (AOR = 5.78; 95% CI 2.35–14.21), financial problems (AOR = 3.81; 95% CI 2.08–6.98), living separately from a spouse (AOR = 3.31; 95% CI 1.22–8.98), and less or no activity participation (AOR = 3.09; 95% CI 1.32–7.26 and AOR = 3.02; 95% CI 1.29–7.09). CONCLUSION: To mitigate depression in the elderly, attention should be given to any underlying medical disease. The community also should promote more activities accessible to the elderly, especially income-earning activities. These activities might promote better relationships or ease conflict among elderly and other family members.