| dc.description.abstract | Depression is a public health challenge particularly in developing nations. Senior citizens
or the elderly above the age of 60 years have a much higher risk of mental health
challenges like depression due to various life circumstances such as chronic illnesses and
loneliness. Consequently, the research focused on elucidating depression among the
elderly and investigating the psychosocial factors that act as predicators of depression
among the elderly living in old people’s homes in Nairobi County. Research goals were
assessing the effect of family break-up as a predictor of depression among the elderly,
effects of cultural values as predictors of depression among the elderly, effect of sociodemographic variables as a predictor of depression among the elderly and effect of socio
factors as a predicator of depression among the elderly in old people’s care homes in
Nairobi County, Kenya. The research was anchored in two theories: the Social Production
Theory (Lindernberg (1989) and Hierarchical Compensatory Theory by Antonucci
(1986). The study targeted 177 individuals aged above 60 years and are residents in old
people’s homes. Cross sectional descriptive research technique was used where 7 old
people’s homes was used. Interviews and self-administered questionnaire were adopted
in data gathering from respondents selected through a simple random sampling process.
Once data was collected, it was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) version 22. To present the information, tables were utilized. Findings from
descriptive statistics and regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between
family break-up and depression among the sample. Descriptive statistics indicated that a
substantial proportion of respondents have personally experienced family break-ups
(88.9%), and that their family members have also experienced break-ups (88.9%). The
regression coefficient of 0.846 showed a positive and significant (p=0.000) relationship
between family break-up and depression. The standardized coefficients show cultural
values having a positive and significant effect on depression (Beta = 0.304, p = 0.013),
suggesting that individuals who adhere strongly to traditional cultural values may be at a
higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms. The standardized coefficient for socio
factors was found to be positive but non-significant (Beta = 0.166, p = 0.322), indicating
that the influence of socio factors on depression may not be as pronounced as other
variables in the model. As per research outcomes it was recommended that it is crucial to
develop comprehensive support programs that address family break-up and improve
communication within families, and efforts should be made to enhance social support
networks within elderly homes. Future research should explore the longitudinal effects
of family break-up, cultural values, and socio factors on depression among the elderly. | en_US |
