Health behaviour, depression and religiosity in older patients admitted to intermediate care

• Published in: International journal of geriatric psychiatry 2008-07, Vol.23 (7), p.735-740
• Main Authors: Yohannes, A. M., Koenig, H. G., Baldwin, R. C., Connolly, M. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anxiety; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease - psychology; Chronic Disease - rehabilitation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depression - psychology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender differences; Geriatric Assessment; Geriatric psychiatry; Geriatrics; Health Behavior; health behaviour; Health Status Indicators; Humans; intermediate care; Intermediate Care Facilities; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mood disorders; Older people; Physical therapy; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychoanalysis; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychometrics; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Quality of life; Religion & psychology; Religion and Medicine; Religion and Psychology; religiosity; Sex Factors; Spirituality
• ISSN: 0885-6230; 1099-1166
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.1968

Objective To examine health behaviour, severity of depression, gender differences and religiosity in older patients admitted to intermediate care for further rehabilitation. Design Cross‐sectional survey. Participants A research physiotherapist interviewed 173 older patients (113 female), 60 and older consecutively admitted to intermediate care for rehabilitation, usually after acute care. Measurements Religiosity was measured using the Duke University Religion Index, depressive and anxiety symptoms using the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, and severity of depression measured by the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Physical disability was assessed by the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale and quality of life measured by the SF‐36 questionnaire. Results After controlling for other factors using multiple regression, religious attendance was associated with positive general health perception (t = 1.9, p = 0.05), and inversely associated with number of pack years smoked (t = −2.05, p = 0.04) and severity of illness (Charlson Index), [t = −2.05, p = 0.04]. Intrinsic religious activity was associated with older age (t = 3.06, p