Depression in Elderly Men following Transurethral Prostatectom

<p>This study was concerned with the problem of depression among elderly patients following surgery. The purpose of the study was to find out if older men following transurethral prostatectomy experienced a higher level of depression than normal elderly people in the general population. An attempt was made in the study to suggest factors in the patients' illness or environment which may have influenced the amount of depression they experienced.</p> <p>Thirty patients, sixty-five years or older, were included in the study sample. Depression was measured by a self-rating depression scale (Zung) three weeks following their operations. Other facts about the patients were gathered by an interview at the time the test was given.</p> <p>The central hypothesis of the study was that elderly men after transurethral prostatectomy would have a higher level of depression than normal older adults. The data supported this hypothesis in that 80 percent of the study sample had scores that were above the standard mean for normal aged adults.</p> <p>Another hypothesis, relating to the effect of complications on the level of depression, was supported by the study findings. It was shown that an increase in total number of complications was accompanied by an increase in the level of depression. A regression analysis of these factors indicated a positive correlation. The correlation coefficient was .53.</p> <p>Other factors in the environment of the study sample could not be related to the level of depression experienced by the group. Hypotheses suggesting a relationship between marital status or postoperative diagnosis and level of depression were not supported by statistically significant data.</p> <p>It was concluded from this study that depression in older males following surgery upon the genitourinary system as represented by this select sample, was a significantly frequent occurrence. Although evidence was lacking to suggest that surgery was the primary cause of their depression, the high percentage of patients who experienced depression after their operation was significant.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Year

1973

Author dc:creator

• Allocco, Brenda Leach

Contributors dc:contributor

• L. Lucile Lewis
• Esther E. Sellers
• Henry L. Hadley

• Geriatric Nursing
• Mental Disorders
• Nursing
• Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing
• Surgery
• Urology
• Prostatectomy; Depression

Statement dc:rights

• This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1501

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarsrepository.llu.edu:etd-2277