Predictors of Depression Among Community-Dwelling Older Women Living Alone in Korea

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence and predicting factors of depression among community-dwelling older women living alone in Korea. Of the 2054 older women living alone in this study, 42.9% (881) were experiencing depression. Factors associated with a higher prevalence of depression were overall difficulty with living alone, taking more than six medications, limitations of instrumental activities of daily living, limitations of muscle strength, limitations of exercise performance in upper extremities, trouble with hearing, and perceptions of poor health status. These results provide a basis for designing preventive interventional programs to decrease depression among older women living alone in Korea.