Depression, Suicidal Behaviour, and Mental Disorders in Older Aboriginal Australians

Yu-Tang Shen, Kylie Radford, Gail Daylight, Robert Cumming, Tony G. A. Broe and Brian Draper
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Yu-Tang Shen: St Vincent’s Hospital, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
Kylie Radford: Neurosciences Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
Gail Daylight: Neurosciences Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
Robert Cumming: School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
Tony G. A. Broe: Neurosciences Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
Brian Draper: Neurosciences Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Aboriginal Australians experience higher levels of psychological distress, which may develop from the long-term sequelae of social determinants and adversities in early and mid-life. There is little evidence available on the impact of these on the mental health of older Aboriginal Australians. This study enrolled 336 Aboriginal Australian participants over 60 years from 5 major urban and regional areas in NSW, utilizing a structured interview on social determinants, and life-time history of physical and mental conditions; current psychosocial determinants and mental health. Univariate and multivariate analyses were utilized to examine the link between these determinants and current depressive scores and suicidality. There was a high rate of life-time depression (33.3%), current late-life depression (18.1%), and suicidal ideation (11.1%). Risk factors strongly associated with late-life depression included sleep disturbances, a history of suicidal behaviour, suicidal ideation in late-life and living in a regional location. This study supports certain historical and psychosocial factors predicting later depression in old age, and highlights areas to target for prevention strategies.

Keywords: late-life; depression; aboriginal; childhood; mental health; resilience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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