International Journal of Nursing Education

Shrestha Sandhya ¹, Jose Tessy Treesa ², Nayak Asha ²

Affiliations
1 Manipal College of Medical Sciences (Nursing Program)Pokhara, Nepal, IN
2 Department of Mental Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

Context Periodic identification of depressive symptoms and social support of widows in developing countries is an established need as widowhood makes them vulnerable to disabling depression. Aims It was intended to assess the depressive symptoms, Social Support among widows at Pokhara, Nepal. Settings and Design correlational Survey study in "Women for human rights, single women group", organization and Indian Pension Camp Pokhara, Nepal. Materials and Methods 230 widows were evaluated for depressive symptoms and perceived social support using the Beck depression Inventory and Multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Statistical analysis Chi-square for association, Pearson for relationship. Results Finding shows that most of the participant 148(64) % were between the age group of 49-64 years. With regard to education, 132 ie57.4% were illiterate, Majority (89%) of subjects lived with their husbands for more than 11 years and 44.8% of subjects; duration after husbands' death was 11 years.177 (77%) had depressive symptoms i.e.67 (30%) had severe depressive symptoms, 47 (20%) had moderate depressive and 63(27%) had Mild depressive symptoms.86% There was no association between depressive symptoms and selected variables except duration after marriage. Depressive symptoms has negative correlation between social support (p=0.001). Conclusions Widows were having severe depressive symptoms.

Keywords

Widows, Depressive Symptoms, Social Support.

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