The Meaning of Depression From the Life-World Perspective of Elderly Women

Abstract

Depression is a serious public health problem that particularly affects women and elderly people. The aim of this phenomenological study was to gain a deeper understanding of depression in elderly women by investigating and describing the meaning of depression from a life-world perspective. Qualitative interviews were conducted with five elderly women suffering from depression; they were transcribed and analysed using the phenomenological method. The essence of depression emerged as 'reexperiencing a severe personal insult' and the perception of 'increased sensitivity and vulnerability.' These two components constituted the breeding ground for an additional five characteristics. Depression was perceived as a severe multidimensional suffering that affected physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects, where previous experiences merged with the current situation. Thus, the whole life space of these women was affected. In its most severe form, depression and, thereby, life was perceived as unbearable. The meaning that emerged from the women's descriptions can be understood against the background of the aging individual's retrospection and summation of life.

Surviving depressive ill‐health: A qualitative systematic review of older persons' narratives

“…Eight studies were conducted in the USA (Ugarriza, 2002;Pierce et al, 2003;Barg et al, 2006;Soonthrochaiya & Dancy 2006;Black et al, 2007;Switzer et al, 2009;Wittink et al, 2009;Conner et al, 2010), one in the UK (Lawrence et al, 2006), three in Sweden (Hedelin & Strandmark, 2001a;Hedelin & Strandmark, 2001b;Hedelin & Jonsson, 2003) and one in New Zealand (Allan & Dixon, 2009). …”

“…Two studies did not describe the analysis method (Pierce et al, 2003;Switzer et al, 2009). Hedelin and Strandmark (2001a) used a phenomenological approach and an audit trail, which means that other researchers can follow their analysis step by step. Five studies clearly described the steps or stages utilised for identifying categories and themes in the data analysis (Hedelin & Strandmark, 2001b;Hedelin & Jonsson, 2003;Switzer et al, 2006;Allan & Dixon, 2009;Conner et al, 2010).…”

“…A recent World Health Assembly called on the World Health Organization and its member states to take action in this area (WHO, 2012). Depressive ill-health in the elderly is a complex issue (Hedelin & Strandmark, 2001a) and extremely common in primary care…”

Older Persons’ Lived Experiences of Depression and Self-Management

“…Hedelin and Strandmark (2001) described depression as a complex issue based on the life-world perspective of older persons. Holm and Severinsson (2013) reported a comprehensive literature synthesis of older persons' narratives about what they need in order to survive when suffering from depressive ill-health.…”

Beyond symptoms: Defining primary care mental health clinical assessment priorities, content and process

“…The trauma and abuse literature asserts that the impact of trauma on individuals is marginalised by mainstream services (Humphreys & Thiara, 2003) and is not included in mental health training (Courtois & Ford, 2009). Despite loss being a universal experience (Murray, 2001), a significant issue in primary care (Clark et al, 2005), a contributor to depression (Hedelin & Strandmark, 2001) and later life function (Holmes, 1993), understanding the losses faced by each person and their impact is not part of current standard primary care assessment (Enns & Cox, 2005). In addition, an assessment of the mental health effects of early childhood experiences noted in the fields of attachment and neurobiology (Cozolino, 2006;Holmes, 1993;Maunder & Hunter, 2001) is not routinely evaluated in primary care.…”