Journal of Sociology and Social Work

Contributing Factors of Depressive Symptoms among Rural Older Adults in South Dakota
Soonhee Roh, Yeon-Shim Lee, Jen A. Porter, Natalie D. Pope

Abstract
The present study examined the relationships between physical health stressors (chronic conditions and functional disability) and coping resources (religiosity and social support) on depressive symptoms among rural older adults in the lens of a stress and coping model. This study used a cross-sectional survey design with convenience sampling of 261 community-dwelling rural older adults (aged 50 or older) in South Dakota. Hierarchical multiple regression tested three sets of predictors on depressive symptoms: (1) sociodemographic variables, (2) physical health stressors (chronic conditions and functional disability), and (3) coping resources (social support and religiosity).Most participants had no physical functioning problems for daily activities, while presenting over two types of chronic medical conditions. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with functional disability and negatively associated with religiosity and perceived social support. Additionally, lower income indicated higher levels of depressive symptoms. Findings highlight that practitioners should engage religiosity, family, friends, and community support, advocate for access to adequate healthcare, and pay attention to low income circumstances and needs when working with rural older adults. The findings also supported the stress and coping model as a useful framework for understanding depressive symptoms among rural older adults.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jssw.v3n1a6