SOCIAL COHESION AND DEPRESSION AMONG GERIATRICS IN ILORIN WEST LGA, KWARA STATE

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between social cohesion and depression among geriatrics in Ilorin West Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, Nigeria. The study examined;(i) level of depression, (ii)variations in level of depression and it’s relationship with social cohesion among geriatrics. Two research questions and two research hypotheses were tested. The study is a descriptive research of survey type. 397 geriatrics were used for the study. A researcher-designed questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (adapted) were used. Findings showed that; 22.0% of geriatrics were slightly depressed  and 13.5% had severe depression. Variations in the level of depression was significantly associated with social cohesion (r= 0.00 < 0.05 alpha level). It was concluded that Geriatrics in Ilorin West LGA suffer mild to moderate levels of depression and female geriatrics are more depressed than their male counterparts. Variations in levels of depression are associated with marginalization, loss of sense of belonging among others.