Stress, loneliness, and depression in Taiwanese rural community-dwelling elders

This study examined the stressors and stress levels, loneliness, and depres sion experienced by Taiwanese rural elders and determine if differences in the level of stress were associated with specific person-environmental char acteristics. The relationship between stress and depression was also explor ed. A total of 201 older rural community residents participated in the stud y. Findings showed that rural elders experienced a number of stressors rela ted to health and family issues. Differences in the degree of stressfulness of individuals differed by gender, educational level, living arrangement, and socioeconomic status (SES). Findings in this study also showed that the re was a high association among stress level, depressive symptoms, and mood status. The findings of this study will assist community health policy-mak ers in determining the need for health-related services for rural elders ex periencing these problems. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.