Abstract

FRAGOEIRO, Isabel Maria Abreu Rodrigues. Significant factors in the mental health of the elderly. Revista Portuguesa de Enfermagem de Saúde Mental [online]. 2015, n.13, pp.9-16. ISSN 1647-2160.

Paying greater attention to the mental health (MH) of older people must be given higher priority. Taking greater notice of the mental health (MH) of the elderly must be a priority commitment. MH problems in this group have increased and it is important to invest in their prevention and detection. MH issues in this age group have increased and it is important / of the foremost importance to invest in their prevention and detection. The objectives of this study were to characterise the older population in Madeira Autonomous Region (RAM) from the MH perspective, The present study aims /aimed at the characterization of elderly population in the Madeira Archipelago/Islands from MH perspectiveto determine the prevalence of positive and negative MH situations, and to assess the positive (protective) or negative (risk) influence of certain particular  personal and environmental factors on MH. This broad study This cross- sectional study was based on a representative sample of people aged 65 years or older (n=342), of both sexes both genders resident in the community. Of these, 67,0% had positive MH. The probability of  having a more positive MH was 2,5 times greater when they had 1 to 11 years of schooling (OR=2,5 CI 95% 1,3-4,8); and 0,3 times lower in women (OR=0,3 CI 95% 0,1-0,6), in those with very limited social networks (OR=0,3 CI 95% 0,1-0,9) and in those who considered their health as reasonable Those who perceived their health condition as reasonable or worse (OR = 0,3 CI 95% 0,1-0,9). This probability was 0,5 times lower for older people who considered their health as being worse than their peers 0,5 times lower for those who perceived their health condition as worse than their peers’ (OR=0,5 CI 95% 0,3-0,9), and 0,3 times lower in comparison with that of a year earlier And 0,3 times lower comparing with that a year earlier (OR=0,3 CI 95% 0,2-0,6). It was 0,1 times lower (OR=0,1 CI 95% 0,1-0,7) in older people with physical limitations on dealing with their own needs. These factors should be considered in MH’s promotion and in the prevention of MH disorders.

Keywords : Older people; Mental health; Risk factors; Primary prevention.

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