Influence of Living Arrangements on the Psychological Health of Older Women in Slums

Ghosh, Anushka; Mukhopadhyay, Susmita

doi:10.1024/1662-9647/a000277

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 40 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Taking gender into account, in the Indian context, older women have been found to be more distressed than men in the rural areas of Northern India [49]. There is also evidence that age and educational status have significant effects on psychological impairments for older women in the slums of Kolkata, India [50]. In the present study as well, lower education levels of the head of the family predicted psychological distress.…”

Section: Risk Factorssupporting

confidence: 54%

Psychological Distress in Low-Income and Economically Marginalized Populations in India: Protective and Risk Factors

Singh,

Nasir,

Sharma

et al. 2024

Behavioral Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies at the juncture of development economics and public health take on considerable responsibility in addressing inequality and related mental health distress. Mental healthcare in economically marginalized populations requires depicting the linkages between socioeconomic status and psychological distress. In the present work, a sequential mixed-methods design was used to study 190 people in such communities in India. Gender-dependent psychological distress was found according to the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) with moderate distress in women (M = 26.30, SD = 9.15) and mild distress in men (M = 21.04, SD = 8.35). Regression analysis indicated that gender significantly predicted psychological distress, followed by age, marital status, and the level of education of the head of the family. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of semi-structured interviews of the six women who scored the highest on the distress scale unveiled three master themes: (1) manifestation of psychological distress, (2) contextual challenges, and (3) sources of strength and resilience. Overall, participants reported a lack of resources, community violence, gender discrimination, and widespread substance use as major contributors to the ongoing distress. These findings can pave the way for future studies to expand beyond independent economic indicators and curate clinical interventions for culturally competent mental healthcare.

show abstract

Section: Risk Factorssupporting

confidence: 54%

Psychological Distress in Low-Income and Economically Marginalized Populations in India: Protective and Risk Factors

Singh,

Nasir,

Sharma

et al. 2024

Behavioral Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

An investigation on the prevalence and patterns of multi-morbidity among a group of slum-dwelling older women of Kolkata, India

Ghosh,

Mukhopadhyay,

Mukhopadhyay

2024

BMC Geriatr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Multi-morbidity is a pervasive and growing issue worldwide. The prevalence of multi-morbidity varies across different populations and settings, but it is particularly common among older adults. It poses substantial physical, psychological, and socio-economic burdens on individuals, caregivers and healthcare systems. In this context, the present study aims to provide an insight on the prevalence and degree of multi-morbidity; and also, on the relationship between level of multi-morbidity and morbid conditions among a group of slum-dwelling older women. Methods This community based cross-sectional study was conducted in the slum areas of urban Kolkata, West Bengal, India. It includes total 500 older women, aged 60 years or above. Pre-tested schedules on so-demographic and morbidity profile have canvassed to obtain the information by door-to-door survey. To determine the relationship between the level of multi-morbidity and morbid conditions, correspondence analysis has performed. Results The study revealed three most prevalent morbid conditions- back and/or joint pain, dental caries/cavity and hypertension. The overall prevalence of multi-morbidity was 95.8% in this group of older women. It was highly over-represented by the oldest-old age group (80 years and above). Majority were found to suffer from five simultaneous morbid conditions that accounted for 15.2% of the total respondents. All of the oldest-old women of this study reported to suffer from more than two medical conditions simultaneously. Three distinct groups were formed based on the inter-relationship between level of multi-morbidity and morbid conditions. The group 1 and 2 represents only 27.8% and 18% of the total sample. Whereas, group 3 comprises the highest level of morbidities (≥ 6) and 52.8% of total sample, and strongly related with general debilities, cardiac problems, asthma/COPD, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal problems, neurological disorders, hypothyroidism and oral health issues. Conclusion The findings confirmed the assertion that multi-morbidity in slum living older adults is a problem with high prevalence and complexity. This study proposes an easily replicable approach of understanding complex interaction of morbidities that can help further in identifying the healthcare needs of older adults to provide them with healthy and more productive life expectancy.

show abstract

Psychological distress in Low Income and Economically Marginalized (LIEM) populations in India: Protective and Risk factors.

Singh,

Nasir,

Sharma

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Studies at the juncture of development economics and public health host considerable responsibility in addressing inequality and related mental health distress. Mental health care in economically marginalized populations requires depicting the linkages between socioeconomic status and psychological distress. In the present work, a sequential mixed-methods design was used to study 190 people in such communities in India. Gender-dependent psychological distress was found according to Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10) with moderate distress in women (M= 26.30, SD= 9.15) and mild distress in men (M= 21.04, SD= 8.35). Regression analysis indicated that gender significantly predicted psychological distress, followed by age, marital status, and education of the head of the family. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of semi-structured interviews to six women who scored the highest on the distress scale unveiled three master themes: (1) Manifestation of Psychological Distress, (2) Contextual Challenges, and (3) Sources of Strength and Resilience. Overall, participants reported lack of resources, community violence, gender discrimination, and widespread substance use as major contributors to the ongoing distress. These findings can pave the way for future studies to expand beyond independent economic indicators and curate clinical interventions for culturally competent mental health care.

show abstract

Influence of Living Arrangements on the Psychological Health of Older Women in Slums

Cited by 3 publications

References 40 publications

Psychological Distress in Low-Income and Economically Marginalized Populations in India: Protective and Risk Factors

Psychological Distress in Low-Income and Economically Marginalized Populations in India: Protective and Risk Factors

An investigation on the prevalence and patterns of multi-morbidity among a group of slum-dwelling older women of Kolkata, India

Psychological distress in Low Income and Economically Marginalized (LIEM) populations in India: Protective and Risk factors.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About