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Perspectives on the process of recovery from depression by older adult clients : a grounded theory study Unsworth, Elaine
Abstract
Depression in the older adult remains a serious public health concern. An understanding of the process of recovery from depression from the older adults' perspective will assist care providers to plan strategies for the most effective treatment of depression. With effective treatment we would expect to see a lower suicide rate and lower demand for unnecessary resources which will both contribute to improve the quality of life for older adults. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to describe the process of recovery through the experience of depression from the perspective of older adults who were considered to have recovered from their depression. Open-ended interviews were conducted with seven older adults who had recovered from depression. Analysis of the interviews involved identification of a process of recovery that consisted of four phases: 1) Spiraling Down, 2) Changing Direction, 3) Working the Way Out, and 4) Staying Out. Older adults who had recovered from depression described a general sequential process while going through the phases. If a recurrence or relapse occurred, the same four phases were experienced again. A preliminary substantive theory of the process of recovery emerged from the findings. Triggers were experienced which led to increasing feelings of discomfort and distress. Older adults relied on their own strength as well as supports from others as they worked to implement strategies to achieve recovery. The process described in this study provides a beginning understanding of the experience of older adults as they recovery from depression. The findings of this study will help nurses and other health care professionals in providing care to older adults recovering from depression.
Item Metadata
Title |
Perspectives on the process of recovery from depression by older adult clients : a grounded theory study
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1999
|
Description |
Depression in the older adult remains a serious public health concern. An
understanding of the process of recovery from depression from the older adults'
perspective will assist care providers to plan strategies for the most effective treatment of
depression. With effective treatment we would expect to see a lower suicide rate and
lower demand for unnecessary resources which will both contribute to improve the quality
of life for older adults. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to describe the
process of recovery through the experience of depression from the perspective of older
adults who were considered to have recovered from their depression.
Open-ended interviews were conducted with seven older adults who had recovered
from depression. Analysis of the interviews involved identification of a process of recovery
that consisted of four phases: 1) Spiraling Down, 2) Changing Direction, 3) Working the
Way Out, and 4) Staying Out. Older adults who had recovered from depression described
a general sequential process while going through the phases. If a recurrence or relapse
occurred, the same four phases were experienced again. A preliminary substantive theory
of the process of recovery emerged from the findings. Triggers were experienced which
led to increasing feelings of discomfort and distress. Older adults relied on their own
strength as well as supports from others as they worked to implement strategies to achieve
recovery.
The process described in this study provides a beginning understanding of the
experience of older adults as they recovery from depression. The findings of this study will
help nurses and other health care professionals in providing care to older adults recovering
from depression.
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Extent |
6057462 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-06-16
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0089090
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1999-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.