Research On The Health Status And Influential Factors Of The Widowed Elderly In Different Stages

Objectives: Through the investigation of the health status of the widowed elderly in different stage, to learn the health status of the widowed elderly, to discuss the factors associated with the widowed elderly health in different stages, to provide evidence of carrying out the health interventions to the widowed elderly.Methods : Used the convenience sampling method, designed questionnaire, Short-Form 12-Item Health Survey, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and SSRS, and conducted the survey among the widowed elderly in different stages. Date was double entered into Epidata and statististically analyzed by SPSS 21.0. Measurement data was presented by means and standard deviations. The measurement is frequency or proportion. The measurement data was tested by t-test and analysis of variance etc. Counting data was testes by Chi-square. Multi-factors were Stepwise multiple linear regression. The P value under 0.05 stands for ststistical significance.Results: 1. The basic situation We investigated a total of 314 cases of the widowed elderly, including 71 cases(22.6%) of the newly widowed stage(widowed within three months), 78 cases(24.8%) of the early widowed stage(widowed from 4th to 6th months), 80 cases(25.5%) of the middle widowed stage(widowed from 7th to 12 th months) and 85 cases(27.1%) of the late widowed stage(widowed from 13 th to 36 th months). The demographic data of each stage had no significant difference(P>0.05).2. SF-12 Scale score situation The widowed elderly in different stages had different SF-12 Scale scores, the newly widowed stage(32.30 ± 4.88), the early widowed stage(32.41 ± 5.50), the middle widowed stage(34.88 ± 4.61), the late widowed stage(52.77 ± 13.08). The widowed elderly within six months had the minimum quality of life. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that chronic diseases, urban-rural differences, residential status and sex had significant effects on the quality of life of the elderly widowed within six months. 3. UCLA score situation Different stages of the widowed elderly had different UCLA score, the newly widowed stage(40.72 ± 6.47), the early widowed stage(38.74 ± 4.59), the middle widowed stage(37.86 ± 3.16), the late widowed stage(35.67 ± 4.98).The newly widowed stage elderly feel most lonely(P<0.05). In the newly widowed stage residence status and spouse bereavement different ways affected the loneliness(P<0.05). 4. GDS score situation The elderly widowed within three years had 38.6% of getting depression, including 25.2% with mild depression, 13.4% with moderate to severe depression and 61.5% with no depression.The multiple Logistict regression analysis revealed that residential status,chronic diseases and age had significant effects on the depressive symptoms of the elderly widowed within six months(P<0.05). 5. SSRS Social Support Scale score situation Different stages of the widowed elderly had different social support, the newly widowed stage(32.30 ± 4.88), the early widowed stage(32.41 ± 5.50), the middle widowed stage(34.88 ± 4.61), the late widowed stage(35.62 ± 4.43).The single factor analysis revealed that age, education level, urban-rural differences, residential status and chronic diseases had significant effects on the social support of the elderly widowed within six months.Conclusions: 1. The elderly widowed within three years have overall low quality of life, and the elderly widowed within six months have the lowest quality of life. Purposes elderly widowed within six months, suffering from chronic diseases, rural, living alone and female are the dangerous factors affecting the quality of life for elderly. 2. Mental health in the elderly widowed within three years are significant. The newly stage elderly widowed feel most lonely, and elderly widowed within six months have highest probability of getting depressive. Living alone and spouse unexpected death are the dangerous factors for the loneliness of the newly stage elderly widowed. Residential status,chronic diseases and age are the dangerous factors for depression of the elderly widowed within six months. 3. Social support system for elderly widowed within three years needs to be strengthened. Elderly widowed within six months have the lowest Social support. Female, low education level, rural, living alone and spouse unexpected death are dangerous factors for social support state of elderly widowed within six months.