Depression in older persons who are chronically ill, 1990

This study explores the severity of depression in older persons who are chronically ill. The study was an attempt to determine if there is a significant relationship between four independent variablesfamily support, social support, marital status, and gender. The study was conducted while respondents were hospitalized at Clayton General Hospital. The research concluded that most older chronically ill persons were not depressed or were only mildly depressed. Significant factors were gender. Females reported more incidence of depression than males and single respondents reported higher incidences of depression than married persons. Suggestions for identifying depression in older persons were indicated and implications for social work practice for working with this unique population were discussed