Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing Homes

The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hopelessness among Turkish elderly people. A convenience sample of 100 elderly people (51 women, 49 men) living in a city in the central Black Sea region of Turkey completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale and...

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Main Authors: Ertuğrul Şahin, Nursel Topkaya, Cem Gençoğlu, Ercümend Ersanlı
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-06-01
Series:Societies
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/8/2/39
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author Ertuğrul Şahin
Nursel Topkaya
Cem Gençoğlu
Ercümend Ersanlı
author_facet Ertuğrul Şahin
Nursel Topkaya
Cem Gençoğlu
Ercümend Ersanlı
author_sort Ertuğrul Şahin
collection DOAJ
description The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hopelessness among Turkish elderly people. A convenience sample of 100 elderly people (51 women, 49 men) living in a city in the central Black Sea region of Turkey completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale and a data collection instrument to identify their socio-demographic information. The data was analyzed using Chi-Square, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The study results revealed that 81% of the elderly, or approximately eight out of 10 elderly people, experience hopelessness, ranging from mild to severe levels, and that severe hopelessness is more prevalent among elderly people living in nursing homes. No gender differences were found in terms of the severity of hopelessness among the elderly. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis also showed that hopelessness scores were positively associated with living in a nursing home, being widowed/a widower, and having a low monthly income. Considering the fact that hopelessness levels are correlated with suicidal thoughts, depression, and adverse health conditions, the mental health professionals who aim to increase the well-being of the elderly should conduct screening studies to determine hopelessness levels among this population. Mental health support is also recommended to increase hope among elderly Turkish people, specifically those living in nursing homes and those who are widowed/widowers and low-income individuals.
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spelling doaj.art-55a597c5adae4e1bb9990f10cbe8f3592022-12-22T03:50:31ZengMDPI AGSocieties2075-46982018-06-01823910.3390/soc8020039soc8020039Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing HomesErtuğrul Şahin0Nursel Topkaya1Cem Gençoğlu2Ercümend Ersanlı3Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Amasya University, 05100 Amasya Merkez/Amasya, TurkeyDepartment of Guidance and Psychological Counseling, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139 Atakum/Samsun, TurkeyGeneral Directorate of Basic Education, Ministry of Education, 06650 Ankara, TurkeyDepartment of Social Services, Ondokuz Mayıs University, 55139 Samsun, TurkeyThe aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of hopelessness among Turkish elderly people. A convenience sample of 100 elderly people (51 women, 49 men) living in a city in the central Black Sea region of Turkey completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale and a data collection instrument to identify their socio-demographic information. The data was analyzed using Chi-Square, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The study results revealed that 81% of the elderly, or approximately eight out of 10 elderly people, experience hopelessness, ranging from mild to severe levels, and that severe hopelessness is more prevalent among elderly people living in nursing homes. No gender differences were found in terms of the severity of hopelessness among the elderly. The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis also showed that hopelessness scores were positively associated with living in a nursing home, being widowed/a widower, and having a low monthly income. Considering the fact that hopelessness levels are correlated with suicidal thoughts, depression, and adverse health conditions, the mental health professionals who aim to increase the well-being of the elderly should conduct screening studies to determine hopelessness levels among this population. Mental health support is also recommended to increase hope among elderly Turkish people, specifically those living in nursing homes and those who are widowed/widowers and low-income individuals.http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/8/2/39hopelessnesselderly peoplecorrelatesmultiple regression analysisTurkey
spellingShingle Ertuğrul Şahin
Nursel Topkaya
Cem Gençoğlu
Ercümend Ersanlı
Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing Homes
Societies
hopelessness
elderly people
correlates
multiple regression analysis
Turkey
title Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing Homes
title_full Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing Homes
title_fullStr Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing Homes
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing Homes
title_short Prevalence and Correlates of Hopelessness among Turkish Elderly People Living with Family or in Nursing Homes
title_sort prevalence and correlates of hopelessness among turkish elderly people living with family or in nursing homes
topic hopelessness
elderly people
correlates
multiple regression analysis
Turkey
url http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/8/2/39
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