Social support and depressive symptoms among displaced older adults following the 1999 Taiwan earthquake

This longitudinal study examines changes in depressive symptoms among displaced older Taiwanese adults (N = 54, M = 68 years), and the impact of various social supports for them at between 6 and 12 months after an earthquake. The average depression score between 6 and 12 months following the earthqu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of traumatic stress 2004-02, Vol.17 (1), p.63-67
Main Authors: Watanabe, Chie, Okumura, Junko, Chiu, Tai-Yuan, Wakai, Susumu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
depression
Depression - diagnosis
Depression - epidemiology
Depression - psychology
Disasters
displaced people
Female
Geriatrics
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
natural disaster
older adults
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Refugees - psychology
Severity of Illness Index
Social Support
Surveys and Questionnaires
Taiwan
Taiwan - epidemiology
Tropical medicine
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Summary:This longitudinal study examines changes in depressive symptoms among displaced older Taiwanese adults (N = 54, M = 68 years), and the impact of various social supports for them at between 6 and 12 months after an earthquake. The average depression score between 6 and 12 months following the earthquake was unchanged and kept high score. Child and extended family support levels related to depressive symptoms after 6 months. In contrast, after 12 months, significant factors associated with a lessening of the depressive symptoms were social support from the extended family and neighbors, and social participation. Intervention to promote increased social networks and social participation, within their new environment in a temporary community, is highly recommended for older adults.
ISSN:0894-9867
1573-6598
DOI:10.1023/B:JOTS.0000014678.79875.30