Social Dimensions of Mental Illness among Rural Elderly Populations

1988 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon Hendricks ◽  
Howard B. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Rural Elderly ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Elderly Populations

Despite growing concern with rural elderly populations, little attention has focused on their mental health, ways it may correlate with physical health, or how rural mental health patterns compare to urban. Popular wisdom contends that elderly people in general, and rural elderly persons in particular, are at increased risk for mental illness. This article examines these questions. A review of available literature suggests that elderly people may be at only slightly greater risk of mental illness than the population at large, though there are some indications that rates of depression may be somewhat higher among the elderly population. Much of this same literature implies that objective environmental conditions play a significant role in the incidence of depression. Analysis of data gathered in a statewide random poll ( N = 743) indicates that while physical health tends to be poorer among rural populations, when health is held constant there is actually an inverse relationship between age and depression. Therefore, rural elderly persons are no more likely to be depressed than their urban counterparts despite harsher living conditions. Both conceptual and policy implications are discussed.

Psychological and Physical Problems in Elderly People with Problems of Falls

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S659-S660
Author(s):  
M. Mentis ◽  
M. Gouva ◽  
E. Antoniadou ◽  
K. Mpourdoulis ◽  
I. Kesoudidou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Physical Damage ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionFalls of the elderly to a degree been associated with poor mental health, poor social support and poor physical health.ObjectivesTo investigate the falls of elderly people in relation to their mental and physical healthy.AimsTo compare the effects of falls in the elderly in the areas of mental and physical health.MethodsThe current study used purposive sampling compromised from 48 people that visited the emergency department at the Patras University Hospital in 2016. The inclusion criterion for participation was age (> 65 years). Data was collected using WHO's questionnaire, the WHOQUOL-BREF. Finally, data was analyzed using the test t test for independent samples.ResultsThe sample constituted by 39.6% of male and 61.4% of female. The average age of the sample was M = 75.89 years. In relation to mental health, the average of the elderly with a history of falls found M = 57.26 (SD = ± 22.87), while the other was found M = 74.45 (SD = ± 15.81). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05), while physical health although again the first group found to have a smaller average (M = 56.65, SD = ± 22.13) relative to the second group (M = 63.78, SD = ± 12.59) no statistical difference was observed.DiscussionsThese results demonstrates that falls beyond the physical damage that are immediately visible can as well create significant issues in the psychological state of the elderly exacerbating anxiety, fear and social isolation, which has been associated with depression event.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Physical activity as an intervention in severe mental illness

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Aaron A. Kandola ◽  
David P. J. Osborn
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Physical Health Problems ◽  
Health Complications

SUMMARY Physical activity is a modifiable risk factor for several physical and mental health conditions. It is well established that people with severe mental illness have increased risk of physical health complications, particularly cardiovascular disease. They are also more likely to be physically inactive, contributing to the elevated cardiovascular and metabolic risks, which are further compounded by antipsychotic medication use. Interventions involving physical activity are a relatively low risk and accessible way of reducing physical health problems and weight in people with severe mental illness. They also have wider benefits for mental health symptoms and quality of life. However, many barriers still exist to the widespread implementation of physical activity interventions in the treatment of severe mental illness. A more concerted effort is needed to facilitate their translation into routine practice and to increase adherence to activity interventions.

The Elderly who Live Alone Their Mental Health and Social Relationships

1986 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Henderson ◽  
Ruth Scott ◽  
D. W. K. Kay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Community Survey ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Increased Risk

In a community survey of the elderly in Hobart, persons who lived alone were compared to those who lived with others. Those who lived alone were more often widows and had had more education. They had markedly fewer close relationships but as much other social interaction. They reported that their personal networks were as adequate as other elderly persons, yet they experienced much more loneliness. They had no higher a prevalence of depressive disorders or dementia on DSM-III criteria, but they did have a higher frequency of neurotic depression and some depressive symptoms, of which loneliness was one. Contrary to what might intuitively be expected, the elderly who live alone may not be a group at increased risk for formal psychiatric morbidity. Instead, they may have a moderate excess of dysphoric symptoms.

scholarly journals The Mechanism of Human Connectedness in Relationship to Physical Health, Mental Health, and Cognitive Function Among the Elderly in Rural China

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shicun Xu ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
Hui Yu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Rural China ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Physical And Mental Health

Background: Elderly people face particular challenges in their everyday lives, and these are likely to be caused by physical health, mental health, cognitive function, and lack of maintaining a connection to other people. This study aims to explore a meaningful measure of human connectedness among the elderly in rural China and to examine the extent to which it impacts elderly people's physical and mental health as well as their cognitive function.Methods: Survey data were collected from 483 participants who were aged 60 and older in northeast rural China. The outcome variables included cognitive function, which was assessed by the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire; depressive symptoms, which were measured by the 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; and the participants' physical health, which was assessed by a 15-item checklist. On the other hand, human connectedness was constructed by perceived family support, which was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; the sense of community, which was measured by the Brief Sense of Community Scale; and the satisfaction of connectedness with others (i.e., with family members and friends).Results: Structural equation modeling analysis confirms that perceived family support, community feelings, and perceived satisfactory connections with family and friends constitute a sufficient representation of human connectedness. Moreover, human connectedness also significantly predicted one's mental and physical well-being as well as cognitive function (b = 0.11, SD = 0.02, β = 0.50, p &lt; 0.001; model fitting indexes X(16)2 = 17.27, p = 0.368, CFI = 0.998, and RMSEA = 0.013).Conclusion: The present study is the first attempt to explore the latent structure of human connectedness and its positive impact on cognitive function as well as physical and mental health among elderly people. The implications and the importance of fostering a stronger social support network, especially for the aging population, are discussed.

scholarly journals Is China Moving Towards Healthy Aging? —A tracking study based on 5 phases of CLHLS data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinan Yang ◽  
Yingying Meng
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Elderly Population ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The World ◽  
Elderly Populations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Differences

Abstract BackgroundMost of the countries are entering an aging society in the world. China has the largest number of elderly people in the world and “healthy aging” is the key way for China to cope with the challenges of population aging. This paper aims to investigate whether there is a trend of "healthy aging" in China using the longitudinal data.MethodsThe data used in this study were from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) data of 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014. A second-order factor model including four dimensions of physical health, functional status, mental health and social health was constructed to measure a latent variable, “Health_elders” and the structural mean model was further used to the examine the significance of the mean differences in “Health_elders” across five periods.ResultsThe results showed that, with the exception of 2008, the Health_elders in 2002, 2005, 2011 and 2014 displayed an upward trend, and the mean differences in Health_elders across five periods were significant. These findings indicate that on the whole, compared with older people in the past, older people in more recent periods are healthier, which supports the trend of "healthy aging" in China. In terms of groups, the health levels of male, town-residing elderly populations are higher, but the healthy aging trends among female elderly people and rural and urban elderly populations are stronger. Regarding the physical health of the elderly population, the health levels of the 60-74 years old cohort are decreasing, and the participation of elderly individuals in social activities is low, which is the weakness in the healthy aging process in ChinaConclusionThe health status of the elderly population is generally on the rise, indicating that China's aging is moving towards healthy aging. So the government should take more measures to encourage the medical and health system to adapt to the aging situation and requirements as soon as possible.

scholarly journals Self-Rated Health and Psychological Distress among Emerging Adults in Italy: A Comparison between Data on University Students, Young Workers and Working Students Collected through the 2005 and 2013 National Health Surveys

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6403
Author(s):  
Isabella Giulia Franzoi ◽  
Fabrizio D’Ovidio ◽  
Giuseppe Costa ◽  
Angelo d’Errico ◽  
Antonella Granieri
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
University Students ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Poor General Health ◽  
Working Students ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
National Health Surveys

Background. The present study aimed at comparing self-reported physical health and mental health among university students, workers, and working students aged between 19 years and 29 years. Method. Using data from National Health Surveys held in 2005 and 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 18,612 Italian emerging adults grouped into three groups: university students, workers, and working students. The odds ratios of self-reported anxiety or depression, poor general health, and poor mental health and physical health (as assessed through SF-12) were estimated through logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders. Results. Compared with workers, students showed an increased risk of anxiety or depression and a lower risk of poor general health. Students and working students showed an increased risk of reporting weak mental health compared with that in workers, while students displayed a lower risk of poor physical health. Significant differences were not found between the 2005 and 2013 surveys. Conclusions. These results are of considerable importance for psychologists as well as educational and occupation-based institutions for planning prevention programs and clinical interventions.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of postoperative sexual dysfunction and quality of life in type a aortic dissection patients of different ages

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeng-Rong Luo ◽  
Dong-Shan Liao ◽  
Liang-Wan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Type A Aortic Dissection ◽  
Postoperative Sexual Dysfunction

Abstract Background To compare postoperative sexual dysfunction (SD) and quality of life (QOL) in Type A Aortic Dissection (AAD) Patients of Different Ages. Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, 204 AAD postoperative survivors in Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University were selected and were divided into young group (less than 50 years old) and elderly group (more than 50 years old). We evaluated SD according to the male International Erectile Dysfunction Index (IIEF-5) and female sexual function index (FSFI). The Short Form 12 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-12) and Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q) were used to investigate the QOL, Quick Inventory Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR) and the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) to investigate depressive symptoms. Results One hundred seventy-five patients completed all the questionnaire (85.8%). The total SD prevalence rate was 38.9% (68 cases), with 27.4% of the young (20 cases) and 47.1% of the elderly (48 cases). The age of non-SD and SD patients was 49.0 ± 11.5 and 56.9 ± 10.8 years, respectively (P = 0.03). Compared with non-SD patients, the total physical health of SD patients was significantly worse (P = 0.04), however, the mental health was not significantly worse (P = 0.77); the depressive symptoms did not expressed a significant difference between the SD and non-SD groups (QIDS-SR P = 0.15, BDI-II P = 0.06). Total physical health scores in the young SD group did not show significant better than elderly SD group (P = 0.24), however, total mental health scores showed significantly worse (P = 0.04), depressive symptoms scores were significantly higher (QIDS-SR P = 0.03, BDI-II P = 0.04). Conclusion The postoperative AAD SD prevalence of elderly is higher than that of young, and the total physical health of SD patients is poorer than those without SD patients. The young SD patients did not show a significant higher physical health scores than the elderly SD patients, instead, the young SD patients were more psychologically affected than the elderly SD patients, whose mental health was worse, and depression symptoms were more obvious, suggesting that the factors affecting the QOL of postoperative SD patients are related to physical factors, but the young postoperative SD patients mainly affected by psychological factors.

scholarly journals Do Public Pensions Improve Mental Wellbeing? Evidence from the New Rural Society Pension Insurance Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2391
Author(s):  
Fang Wang ◽  
Haitao Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Rural Society ◽  
Rural Elderly ◽  
Public Pensions ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Pension Insurance ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pension Income ◽  
The Impact

The causal effect of public pensions on the mental wellbeing of the elderly in lower and middle-income countries deserves further investigation. This paper first constructed a theoretical framework for the impact of New Rural Society Pension Insurance pensions in China on the mental wellbeing of the rural elderly, and described potential channels through which pension income may affect mental wellbeing. We then used the fixed effect model and the instrument variable approach to estimate the casual effects of pension income on the mental wellbeing of the rural elderly. The results reveal that pension income improves mental wellbeing by relieving depression of the rural elderly; however, the beneficial effects of pension income are very limited. Pension income has no beneficial effects on the mental health of the rural elderly in the east region, whereas it slightly relieves depression of those in the middle and west regions. We also found that pension income produces small improvements in the mental health of older females, elderly persons living independently, and those with relatively poor economic conditions.

Mourning and Reminiscence: Parallel Psychotherapeutic Processes for Elderly People

1989 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 239-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda L. Viney ◽  
Yvonne N. Benjamin ◽  
Carol Preston
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Theoretical Explanation ◽  
Personal Construct ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Personal Construct Theory ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Processes ◽  
Construct Theory ◽  
The Relationship

Mourning and reminiscence are therapeutic processes common in therapeutic work with the elderly. However, a theoretical explanation of why they are effective has been lacking. Personal construct theory accounts for both in terms of the search of elderly persons for validation of their construct systems. In this article, this explanation of the parallel psychotherapeutic processes is explored, together with relevant information from the literature on mourning and reminiscence. Therapeutic case studies illustrate the characteristics of the two processes and the relationship between them.

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