Abstract
Background: This study was to examine culturally based factors as potential predictors of depressive symptoms in older Taiwanese adults living in eight long-term care institutions in southern Taiwan. Method: A cross-sectional, exploratory design study was used with a purposive sample of 156 participants with a mean age of 79.80 ± 7.14 years. Measurements included filial responsibility expectation questions, two questions about degrees of acceptance of institutionalization, Perceived Stress Scale, Self-Transcendence Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: An elder's willingness to be institutionalized, an elder's willingness to remain institutionalized, perceived stress, and self-transcendence were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (r = -0.35; -0.49; 0.60; and -0.67, respectively). Although no evidence for the relationship between filial responsibility and depressive symptoms was found in this study, there was evidence that filial responsibility was highly valued. Self-transcendence was the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms, accounting for 45% of the variance. Conclusion: These findings provide insight into the cultural factors associated with depressive symptoms and support the need of timely interventions for institutionalized Taiwanese elderly population.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1013-1021 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | International Psychogeriatrics |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2013 |
Keywords
- depression
- elderly
- filial piety
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Psychology
- Gerontology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Psychiatry and Mental health