Predictive Factors of Depression Among Relatives of Brain-Dead Persons: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the predictive factors of depression among relatives of person deceased by brain death. In this study, 106 first-degree relatives of people who died of due to brain death were studied. Of the study units, 72.64% had levels of depression (severe, moderate, and mild). Among the dependent variables concerning deceased person, age and gender of the deceased were significantly correlated with the depression of their relatives. Among the variables concerning relatives, low level of education, unemployment and time elapsed after brain death have significant role in the incidence or prediction of their depression (p < 0.05). The results indicated a high prevalence of depression among relatives of men aged 30–50 who died because of brain death. It is recommended to consider this fact in planning to care relatives, especially among the low-educated, the unemployed and experiencing the first year of death, of people deceased by brain death.