Subjective Assessments of Quality of Life Are Independently Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults Enrolled in Primary Care in Chile

Moreno, Ximena; Sánchez, Hugo; Huerta, Martín; Cea, Ximena; Márquez, Carlos; Albala, Cecilia

doi:10.3390/jpm12071063

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Most participants in this study were adherent to programs for common chronic conditions that are treated in primary care. Compared with a representative sample of primary care users, a higher proportion of this sample had more years of education, and a lower proportion had depressive symptoms [ 86 ]. Also, a high proportion of participants were in contact with the health center more than once a year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes towards seeking psychological help among community dwelling older adults enrolled in primary care in Chile

Moreno,

Moreno

2024

BMC Geriatr

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Background Depression and anxiety are common mental disorders among older adults, but they are frequently underdiagnosed. Attitudes towards seeking professional mental health care is one of the barriers to access to treatment. This study was aimed at assessing the attitudes towards seeking psychological help among older adults who are enrolled in primary care in Chile, and to determine the associated factors. Methods This cross-sectional study recruited 233 primary care users aged 65 or more years. The Attitudes Towards Seeking Professional Psychological Help was used. Reliability and factor analysis of this scale were carried out. The average scores of the scale and factors were calculated and compared, by selected variables. Multivariate linear regression was estimated to determine factors associated with attitudes towards seeking psychological help. Results Three factors were identified in the attitudes towards seeking psychological help: confidence in psychologists, coping alone with emotional problems, and predisposition to seek psychological help. On average, participants had a favorable attitude towards seeking psychological help, compared with previous research. Lower level of education, and risk of social isolation were inversely associated with these attitudes. Conclusion Strategies to improve mental health literacy and social connection among older adults, could have an impact on factors that mediate the access to mental health care, such as attitudes towards seeking psychological help, among people who have a lower level of education or are at risk of social isolation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attitudes towards seeking psychological help among community dwelling older adults enrolled in primary care in Chile

Moreno,

Moreno

2024

BMC Geriatr

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“…Also, according to the estimates of the World Health Organization, depression is the main cause of years lost to disability and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for women in Chile, but it is not among the top 10 causes of DALYs for men (World Health Organization, 2021 ). The prevalence of depression is higher among women in Chile, but they are also more likely to access mental health care for depression compared to men (Vicente et al, 2005 ; Aravena et al, 2020 ; Moreno et al, 2022b ). Additionally, the suicide rate among men was around 5 times as high as the rate among women between 2001 and 2018 (Bustamante et al, 2016 ; Wiederkehr et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms in Chile between 2003 and 2016

Moreno,

Monsalves,

Rueda

et al. 2024

Camb. prisms Glob. ment. health

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The aim of the study was to analyze gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms among the adult population in Chile between 2003 and 2016. The Sullivan method was used to estimate the total and marginal life expectancy, based on prevalence data from the National Health Survey (2003, 2010 and 2016), and abridged life tables for the Chilean population. There was a compression of morbidity among middle-aged men during the first period and among younger and older women during the last one. Men at all ages could expect to live a higher proportion of their lives without depressive symptoms during the whole period. The gender gap in the proportion of life expectancy free of depressive symptoms reached 10 percent points or more, considering almost all ages and periods. Unemployment and lower education increased the probability of depressive symptoms, and these effects were more marked among women. Public policies should have a gender-sensitive approach to address the gap in depression and the disadvantage experienced by women in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms, considering those dimensions that intersect with gender, such as access to education, employment or income. Impact statementDepression is the most frequent mental health problem. The international literature consistently reports a gender gap in depression. Also, an association between this gap and gender inequalities is supported by previous evidence. This study adds to the previous knowledge by examining if the advantage in life expectancy experienced by women compensates the higher prevalence of depressive symptoms across the life span through the assessment of gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms in 2003, 2010 and 2016 in Chile. Our findings showed a persistent gender gap, with women expecting to live 10 percent points or more of their remaining life with depressive symptoms, compared to men, at all ages and years considered. We analyzed the interaction of gender with other social dimensions that could exacerbate gender differences, and we observed that lower level of education and unemployment increased the probability of depressive symptoms among men and women, but the effect was larger and more persistent among women. The results of our research support the importance of including a gender approach in public policies aimed at reducing inequalities among the population in Chile, considering the intersection of gender and other social dimensions that amplify disadvantages among certain groups of the population. With respect to mental health care, efforts have been made in Chile to improve access, quality, opportunity and financial protection to health-care users via the Regime of Explicit Health Guarantees (GES program), which included depression in 2006. The guidelines of this program should be updated, considering gender perspective and tailored interventions, to improve not only the access of certain groups but also the relevance and effectiveness of treatments.

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Subjective Assessments of Quality of Life Are Independently Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults Enrolled in Primary Care in Chile

Cited by 2 publications

References 44 publications

Attitudes towards seeking psychological help among community dwelling older adults enrolled in primary care in Chile

Attitudes towards seeking psychological help among community dwelling older adults enrolled in primary care in Chile

Gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms in Chile between 2003 and 2016

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