Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D), we examined depressive symptoms among a sample of 52 respondents drawn from a larger longitudinal study of 656 independently living adults with major disabilities in Massachusetts. We also used the sub-sample to validate respondents' reports of depression as a secondary condition. The mean CES-D score for the sample was 23.86 (SD=12.73) with almost 70% scoring higher than 16, the cut-off point above which indicates depressive symptoms. The CES-D score comprises four factors-somatic, positive and negative affect, and interpersonal. Contrary to possible expectations for this population, the somatic factor did not contribute disproportionately to the high CES-D scores. Total mean CES-D score was not associated with age, race, sex, income, education, or ADL status. However, higher CES-D scores were associated (p<.05) with the following: respondent-reported difficulty with weight maintenance and physical exercise, difficulty with transportation, difficulty getting medical care, poor quality of medical care, assault, more domains of IADL dependency, poorer health status, worsening health over the last year, and a greater number of secondary conditions. In addition, positive associations were found with self-reports of depression in the longitudinal study, including reports of depression as a secondary condition (p=.001), helping to validate these reports. These analyses support the importance of examining depression levels among people with disabilities and investigating the relationship among disability, depression, barriers to health care, and other health outcomes.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be informed about the CES-D scale and self-reported depression among adults with major disabilities. They will also develop an understanding of the connection between disability, depression, and barriers to health care. Finally, participants will recognize the importance of incorporating questions regarding depression in disability research
Keywords: Disability, Depression
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.