| Abstrakt: |
The present study of older medical rehabilitation patients investigated whether transition to a nursing home after rehabilitation was significantly related to increased depressive symptoms at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 18-month follow-ups. All participants lived alone prior to their medical rehabilitation. Those returning to live alone (N = 86) were compared to those discharged to live with others (N = 62), or to a nursing home (N = 38). Cross-sectionally, patient's discharged to live alone reported the lowest levels of depressive symptoms followed by those living with others. Patients discharged to a nursing home reported higher levels of depressive symptoms that were marginally significant at baseline (p < .10) and 18 months (p < .10), while statistically significant at 3 months (p < .01). At 6 months post-discharge, results were not significant as the highest levels of depressive symptoms were seen in both nursing home patients and those who were living with others. Longitudinally, those who remained in a nursing home during all four assessment points reported higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to those who continuously lived alone or continuously lived with others after 18 months (p < .01). However, depressive symptomatology was stable over time among those who continuously resided in a nursing home following discharge. These findings provide additional support for a link between loss of independence and elevated depressive symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
