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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-05-2014 | Original Paper

Gender differences in association between psychological distress and detailed living arrangements among Japanese older adults, aged 65–74 years

Authors: Hiroyuki Kikuchi, Tomoko Takamiya, Yuko Odagiri, Yumiko Ohya, Tomoki Nakaya, Teruichi Shimomitsu, Shigeru Inoue

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 5/2014

Abstract

Purpose

Past studies have shown that living alone is detrimental to older adults’ mental health. However, there has been little focus on how older adults’ psychological distress differed by more detailed living arrangement, as well as by gender. The present study investigates various living arrangements in association with psychological distress among older men and women.

Methods

Data from community-dwelling Japanese older adults were collected through a mail survey (n = 1,807, aged 65–74 years, 51.5 % men). Psychological distress level was measured using Kessler’s six-item psychological distress scale. Living arrangements were categorized into four groups; “living with spouse only”, “living with spouse and other family”, “living with other family without spouse” or “living alone”. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations of living arrangements with psychological distress level.

Results

Older adults living alone were observed to have higher psychological distress. In addition, gender-stratified analyses showed that higher distress levels were observed among older men living with family, but without a spouse (OR: 2.85, 95 % CI: 1.51–5.39). In contrast, higher distress was observed among older women living with spouse and other family (OR: 1.53, 95 % CI: 1.03–2.28).

Conclusions

Psychological distress in older Japanese adults was associated with living arrangements, but such associations differed by gender. The association of living with a spouse on older men’s mental health was striking, while living with any family was found to be rather important for older women, aged 65–74 years.

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Title: Gender differences in association between psychological distress and detailed living arrangements among Japanese older adults, aged 65–74 years
Authors: Hiroyuki Kikuchi
Tomoko Takamiya
Yuko Odagiri
Yumiko Ohya
Tomoki Nakaya
Teruichi Shimomitsu
Shigeru Inoue
Publication date: 01-05-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 5/2014
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-013-0778-8

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Springer Medicine

Gender differences in association between psychological distress and detailed living arrangements among Japanese older adults, aged 65–74 years

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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