The Study of Depression and Loneliness among Elderly Women

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume II, Issue X, October 2018 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Study of Depression and Loneliness among Elderly Women

Nurun Saadah S., Lukman Z.M., Syafiq M.S., Zulaikha M.Z., Bukhari W.M.Y., M.Y. Kamal

Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Nerus, 20300 Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract— Depression and loneliness among elderly women who live in the home care institution have become a world phenomenon in developed countries. These mental health diseases are most common factors that lead to the deficiency of daily routine activities such as socializing and many more.However, in third world countries or developing countries, depression and loneliness are being studied differently and no legit findings of the relationship between these two variables. Hence, this research is to identify the relationship between depression and loneliness among elderly women in-home care institution. Method of this research used quantitatively. The respondent in the institution is 180 people. This research used University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA LS) and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9). This research used the Pearson Correlation Coefficient to identify the relationship between depression and loneliness. The result showed the relationship between depression and loneliness among elderly women in an institution is r=0.828 and it is significance in p>0.003. As a conclusion, the depression and loneliness among elderly women in the home care institution is significance and it brings to the new dimension of knowledge and practicality about these mental health diseases especially in third and developing countries.

Keywords— Depression, Loneliness, Elderly Woman, Home Care Institution, Malaysia

I. INTRODUCTION

Depression and loneliness are prevalent among elderly women in the institution [1]. In a cross-sectional research, it was discovered that in people 65 years and more seasoned, the apparent simplexes of enthusiastic and substantial help was obviously connected with depressive manifestations three years later[2]. The populace living in retirement, nursing homes, and institution, away from previous homes and neighborhoods and isolated from more distant families, will keep on expanding [3]. There are living in offices for the elderly women should conform to a changed living circumstance, and this modification can prompt genuine psychosocial issues of dejection and sadness without positive interpersonal organizations[4].

Read More