Causes and Effects of Depression and Anxiety Disorders among the Elderly in Thailand

Abstract

This study was a part of an extensive research and development project of a community based model for the prevention of depression and anxiety disorder among the elderly in 5 provinces representing the regional areas of Thailand. The focus of this study was to test the structural equation model of causes and consequences of depression and anxiety disorder. Data was collected using interviews from questionnaires with 450 at risk elderly and their care givers from 5 provinces around Thailand. The hypothesized model was based on a framework that included psycho-social factors, knowledge-skills-attitude, and social support as the causes; and subjective well-being as an effect of depression and anxiety. A significant implication of the findings is that this research provides empirical evidence about the similarities and differences in the causes of depression and anxiety disorders.

Keywords: causes, effects, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, elderly