The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63275

Jayne Lewis Kulzer, MPH, Barbara Williams, PhD, Paul Ciechanowski, MD, MPH, Sheryl Schwartz, MPA, and Edward Wagner, MD, MPH. Health Promotion Research Center, University of Washington, box 354804, Seattle, WA 98195, 206 543-2566, seini@u.washington.edu

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of a skill-building treatment at reducing minor depressive symptoms among disadvantaged, community-dwelling older adults.

Setting: A community-based, randomized controlled trial is utilizing a comprehensive treatment program designed to overcome depression and improve quality of life among ethnically diverse older adults who have physical limitations and are living independently. The treatment is a skill-building approach including problem-solving therapy and increasing social, physical and other pleasant activities.

Method: Changes between baseline and six month indicators of depressive symptoms (SCL-20) were compared between 69 treatment participants and 62 control participants. Linear regression was used to determine if the treatment group had significantly lower depressive symptoms scores than the control group.

Results: Both groups had similar SCL-20 scores at baseline (intervention mean = 1.29, control mean = 1.23) yet after controlling for ethnicity, gender, age, and baseline SCL, the intervention group showed significantly better scores at six month follow-up (intervention mean = .71, control mean = 1.18, p = .001).

Conclusion: The combination of problem-solving therapy with efforts to increase social, physical, and other pleasant activities appears to be a promising approach to effectively treat minor depression among older adults; particularly among independently living older adults with physical limitations.

Learning Objective: Participants will understand the positive effects that a skill-building approach has on reducing minor depression among disadvantaged, community-dwelling older adults.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will understand the positive effects that a skill-building approach has on reducing minor depression among disadvantaged, community-dwelling older adults.

Keywords: Community-Based Public Health, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.