The association between participation in social activity and depressive symptoms in institutionalized elders in Taiwan

Depression can be a significant predictor of rapid health decline in institutionalized elders. Non-pharmacologic interventions for depression may include meaningful and enjoyable social activities. This cross-sectional, descriptive correlational study was to examine the associations between three components (frequency, meaningfulness and enjoyment) of nine types of social activities and depressive symptoms in a sample of Taiwanese elders living in long-term care facilities. Results indicated that meaningful and enjoyable activities were associated with fewer depressive symptoms among institutionalized elders. Clinically depressed elders (GDS score ≥ 6) were significantly less likely to report a sense of meaning in 6 of 9 social activities, or to report as enjoyable 7 of 9 social activities investigated. Findings suggest that elders' contemplate assignation of meaning of their subjective experiences with social activities, and it would behoove clinical nurses to pay attention to the essential purpose and perceived benefit of the designed social activities.