Methods. A total of 156 subjects, older than 65 years of age, were selected from the diabetic outpatients of three hospitals in Kaohsiung. They were given structured questionnaires in the descriptive correlational design and purposive sampling method. The research instruments administered were as follows: a demographic sheet, the Personal Resource Questionnaire 2000 (PRQ 2000), and Taiwan Geriatric Depression Scale (TGDS).

Results. (1) The mean index score of depression was 26, signifying lower extent of depression. The social support index score was 76. (2) There were significant differences in TGDS scores by duration of diabetes, diabetes complications, and type of treatment. (3) Both social support and regular exercise had significantly negative correlation with depression. (4) Both social support and diabetes complications were important predictors of depression for the elderly diabetics, and also accounted for 25.9% of variance of depression.Conclusions. The study results may help nurses understand more about depression and related factors concerning elderly diabetics. Therefore, this study could be a basis for the nursery-care of elderly diabetics, as well as provide references for further research.

See more of Poster Presentations III
See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)