Introduction: Family and social network are indispensable to the well-being of the older people. However, little has been documented about benefits of the social network and support in reducing the risk for depression among older persons in Sweden. This study aims to examine the relationship between social network and social support, loneliness, and self-rated health among older Swedish people and to determine the ability of these variables (and personal characteristics) to predict the risk for depression among pre-frail and frail older people.
Methodology: This study analysed aggregated data from three randomised controlled studies, which included pre-frail and frail older Swedish adults age 65 years and above. Analyses were done using chi-square, ANOVA, and multiple regressions (in Stata v14).
Results: Findings from the analysis revealed that out of 737 respondents included in this study, 27.5% were at risk for depression (CI: 24.31, 30.78), 54.8% were living alone and 12.5% had no children. Furthermore, factors that statistically predicted the risk for depression include having a confidant (β=1.32, p;=0.006) loneliness (β=11.47,p=0.000, self-rated health (β=-2.60, p=0.000), changes in loneliness (β=-10.16, p=0.000), number of children (β=0.78, p=0.000), number of confidant (β=-0.19, p=0.068) and living alone (β=-0.61, p=0.005).
Conclusion: This study concluded that a large number of the older adults in this population is at risk for depression and factors that predict risk for depression include having a confident, living-alone, number of children, loneliness and poorer self-rated health. Therefore, health- promoting activities that encourage interaction and communication among the older adults should be implemented to promote their well-being.
Juniper Publisher , 2017. Vol. 2, no 5