Journal article
Cultural differences in depression-related stigma in late-life: a comparison between the USA, Russia, and South Korea
International psychogeriatrics, Vol.24(10), pp.1642-1647
10/2012
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610212000816
PMID: 22621852
Abstract
Background: Depression is a common and treatable illness in late-life. However, many do not seek treatment and may suffer from the stigma of the illness, which may vary across cultures. The aim of this study was to compare attitudes about depression in primary care practices in South Korea, Russia, and the USA.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a self-administered questionnaire and PHQ-9 diagnostic survey with 1,094 patients aged 60–93 years who attended a primary care clinic in Korea, Russia, or the USA.
Results: The mean age of participants was 71 years, with 61% being female. US patients were older and had higher education levels. Russian participants were more likely to be widowed and had lower self-rated health. The majority of participants agreed that depression is a kind of disease (Korea 77%, Russia 61%, USA 79%). Only 6% of US patients believed depression means a person is weak, compared to 78% (Korea) and 61% (Russia). Fewer US patients endorsed depression as a normal part of aging (29% vs. Korea at 42% and Russia at 54%). Among participants in the USA, age correlated negatively with endorsement of a medical model of depression (p = <0.001).
Conclusions: Though there was wide variation between countries in attitudes about depression, the majority of each endorsed items reflected a medical model of depression. Korean and Russian participants endorsed the view of depression as a personal weakness more than participants in the USA. Demographic correlates of negative attitudes about depression were moderate to weak.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Cultural differences in depression-related stigma in late-life: a comparison between the USA, Russia, and South Korea
- Creators
- Carolyn L Turvey - Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USAGerald Jogerst - University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USAMee Young Kim - Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul, South KoreaElena Frolova - Medical Academy of Postgraduate Studies, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International psychogeriatrics, Vol.24(10), pp.1642-1647
- DOI
- 10.1017/S1041610212000816
- PMID
- 22621852
- NLM abbreviation
- Int Psychogeriatr
- ISSN
- 1041-6102
- eISSN
- 1741-203X
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK
- Number of pages
- 6
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2012
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Family and Community Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984004187302771
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