Depressed Mood and Subjective Sensation Well-being in the Elderly Living Alone on Oki Island in Shimane Prefecture

Abstract

In order to clarify the influence of living alone on depressed mood and subjective sensation of well-being in the elderly, we studied 113 elderly (60 years old or more) living in Chibu village on Oki island. The subjects were divided into two groups, 33 subjects (Single group) who were living alone (mean age 74.1 years) and 80 subjects (Married group) who were married and lived with their spouses (mean age 69.0 years). For the measurement of depressed mood and subjective sensation of well-being the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Morale Scale were used. The SDS score of the Single group was significantly higher than that of the Married group. The incidence of depression was higher in the Single group than in the Married group, but the difference was not of statistical significance. The Morale Scale score in the Single group was significantly higher than in the Married group. Subjects in the Single group felt more lonely than those in the Married group, but not significantly so. There was a highly significant correlation between the SDS score and the Morale scale score. We concluded that, in the elderly, living alone is more depressing and less satisfying than living with a partner. © 1992, The Japan Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved.