Background and purpose: The inability to perform daily activities can have detrimental effects such as reduced quality of life and reduced social participation, and is a risk factor for anxiety and depression. Therefore, this study this study aimed to" determining depression and its relationship with activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living(IADL) among older adults in Zahedan ۲۰۲۴ ".
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۳۲۴ elderly individuals aged ۶۰ and above in Zahedan in ۲۰۲۴. Sampling was performed using a cluster and multi-stage method. Data were collected using the Geriatric
Depression Scale–۱۵ (GDS-۱۵), ADL, and IADL questionnaire.
Depression categories were defined by GDS-۱۵ scores: ۰-۴(normal), ۵-۹(moderate), and ۱۰-۱۵(severe). Analysis was conducted using STATA.۱۷ with chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and linear regression tests. A significance level of ۰.۰۵ was considered.
Results: The Mean±SD age was ۷۰.۸۴±۱۸.۸ (۶۰ to ۹۹ years). In terms of depression, ۱۰۰(۳۴%) had moderate and severe depression. In terms of performing ADL and IADL, ۳۰(۹.۳%) and ۱۵۹(۴۹.۱%) had dependence, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that depression has a significant negative correlation with ADL (r=-۰.۴۹۳, P<۰.۰۰۱) and IADL (r=-۰.۵۴۴, P<۰.۰۱). indicating higher depression levels are associated with lower functional independence. Regression analysis further identified ADL/IADL performance, gender, marital status, education, and socioeconomic status as significant predictors of depression, explaining ۵۸% of the variance (R² =۰.۵۸, p<۰.۰۵).
Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that independence in ADL and IADL, along with some socio-demographic factors play a crucial role in predicting depression among older adults. Therefore, by creating a supportive environment and providing appropriate opportunities, the quality of life of the elderly can be improved, their sense of satisfaction and happiness can be increased, and depression can be reduced.