Psychological resilience and depressive symptoms in older adults diagnosed with post-polio syndrome

Rehabil Nurs. 2010 Jul-Aug;35(4):167-75. doi: 10.1002/j.2048-7940.2010.tb00043.x.

Abstract

Depression is a serious comorbidity in people with disabilities; however, few studies have focused on depressive symptoms in older adults with post-polio syndrome (PPS). This study used a resilience conceptual framework that focused on patient psychosocial strengths to investigate the relationship between psychological resilience factors (e.g., acceptance, self-efficacy, personal resources, interpersonal relationships, self-rated health, spiritual growth, stress management) and depressive symptoms in a large sample (N = 630) of people older than 65 years who were diagnosed with PPS. Forty percent of the sample scored > or = 10 on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D10), which is a higher percentage than what has been previously cited in other studies; however, 53% of the sample had good or excellent self-rated health, suggesting psychological resilience. Depression scores were regressed on seven selected resilience factors after controlling for functional limitations. Four of the seven variables accounted for 30% of the variance in depressive symptoms, with spiritual growth representing the main predictor (beta = -.26). The implications for rehabilitation nurses in developing a patient-strengths perspective in the assessment and counseling of older adults with PPS are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology
  • Aged
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Depression / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* / complications
  • Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome* / psychology
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Regression Analysis
  • Rehabilitation Nursing
  • Resilience, Psychological*
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Care / methods
  • Self Care / psychology
  • Self Efficacy
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Spirituality
  • United States / epidemiology