| Sumario: | Depression is a significant health problem especially for older women The purpose of this study was to determine: (a) prevalence of depression in older women attending social clubs, (b) which health variables would best predict depression scores, and (c) if the relationship between depression arid codependency found in previous studies (Hughes-Hammer, Martsolf; & Zeller 1998a) would replicate. Survey design was used with a sample of 248 women ages 65 to 94 years attending community social clubs Subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Codependency Assessment Tool, Quality of Life Scale, Perceived Health Report, Measurement of Patient Functional Abilities, Illness Prevention Screening Behaviors Checklist, and self-report of current medications. Statistically significant correlations existed between depression and functional ability, perceived health, quality of life and medication use ('<.0001 for each comparison). Of these women, 7% had moderate or severe depression. Using ANOVA, quality of life, functional abilities and perceived health had significant positive effect on depression scores (p<. 01, a=. 05). At in previous studies, depression and codependency were significantly correlated (r=. 51, p<. 0001). Nursing interventions should be aimed at screening for depression in women in primary health care settings by assessing functional abilities, quality of life, and perceived health.
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