Paper Title
The Relationship between The Depression Loneliness and Demographic Characteristics among the Elderly
Abstract
This research is a cross-sectional descriptive study to explore the relationship between depression, loneliness and
personal factors among the elderly in the Nanglae Province, Chiang Rai, Thailand. The participants were 352 elderly in the
community. The research instruments consisted of 3 parts as follows: 1) general information questionnaire 2) geriatric
depression measure (GDS) and 3) UCLA Loneliness Scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi Square statistics were
used to analyze the data. The research found that there were there were non-case of depression 52.6%, possible case 42.6%,
and depression case 4.8%. According to loneliness level, the elderly were in the mild level 55.8%, medium level 42.7% and
High level 1.6%.There were 3 variable correlate with depression. The study found the loneliness and groups of friends was
significantly related with depression. (p = 0.001) Similarly, the source of income was significantly related with depression.
(p = 0.006) On the other hand, there were no significantly related with depression in other factors which is gender, age,
marital status, education, religion, current occupation, income, living style, caregiver, present illnesses, hobbies, and the
medical treatment support. In Summation, depression loneliness was correlated in elderly, the community and family should
encourage them to participate in activity. Moreover, financial and social support were the importance issues. Health care
provider should implement the intervention focusing in promoting community participation, local wisdom, and occupations
for the elderly.
Keyword - Depression loneliness elderly