Browsing by Author "LUCY ZIPPORAH KAMAU"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LONELINESS AND DEPRESSION AMONG THE ELDERLY WIDOWS IN KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA
    (Tangaza University, 2024-02) LUCY ZIPPORAH KAMAU
    Although many studies in Kenya have focused on the elderly widows and their physical health, limited studies have investigated their mental challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness and depression among the elderly in Kajiado County, Kenya. The objectives of this study were to establish the prevalence of depression and loneliness among the elderly and the relationship between loneliness and depression among elderly women. The target population was the elderly widows aged 60 years and above. A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. The census method was used to identify 162 participants of this study. Loneliness was measured using the revised University of California, Los Angelo’s loneliness scale while the Center for Epidemiological Studies depression scale will was employed to measure levels of depression. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis with SPSS. Results from descriptive statistics showed that the majority of the participants had experienced a high degree of loneliness, 173 (97.7%). In addition, the results showed that it is only 4 participants (2.3%) who had experienced a moderately high degree of loneliness and no participant experienced either low or moderate degrees of loneliness. Also, results showed that the majority of the participants had experienced extreme depression 175 (98.9%). The remaining two participants had experienced severe depression 2 (1.1%), while no participant fell in the category of no depression or mild depression. Results obtained from correlational analysis showed a positive correlation between loneliness and depression among the elderly widows in Kajiado West Sub-County (p < 0.05, r = 262). The study recommends that counsellors and psychologists come up with programmes that help the elderly widows cope with stress that brings loneliness and depression. There is a need for counsellors and psychologists to sensitize the families on the need to help elderly people seek counselling services in order to curb them from experiencing loneliness and depression.