Influence of social support and illness perception on depression among hospitalized older adults prior to discharge from an acute care hospital

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to identify factors affecting depression among hospitalized older adults prior to discharge from an acute care hospital.

Methods: This descriptive study included adults aged 65 or older who were hospitalized in a general hospital in Seoul, Korea. Depression was measured by the Short Form Geriatric Depression Scale and illness perception was evaluated by the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Social support was examined using the Perceived Geriatric Social Support Scale. Data were collected from August 25 to October 12, 2015. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression.

Results: Among a total of 120 participants, 57 patients (47.5%) experienced depression. Mean depression score was 7.37±3.67. Depression was associated with illness perception (r=.53, p<.001), social support (r=-.19, p=.043), number of admission due to the recurrence (r=.31, p=.001), and time to recognize discharge plan (r=.25, p=.044). In hierarchical multiple regression, illness perception (β=.45, p<.001) and time to recognize discharge plan (β=.21, p=.039) were predictors of depression (F=7.68, p<.001, Adjusted R2=.38).

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that management of illness perception and timely notice of discharge are important to reduce depression in hospitalized elderly patients.