Does poverty increase geriatric depressive symptoms in older adults in Turkey? The mediating role of quality of life

Abstract

The generalization of factors associated with the mental health of older adults remains a subject of debate in the literature. This study aims to examine the relationship between poverty and quality of life on geriatric depression symptoms among older adults in Turkey within the framework of an inter-factorial analysis model. The sample consists of 417 older adults residing in Turkey (M = 69.4, SD = 7.43). The findings indicate that poverty is negatively associated with quality of life and positively associated with geriatric depression symptoms. Additionally, quality of life is negatively associated with geriatric depression symptoms. Moreover, the study reveals that quality of life has a partial and negative mediating role in the relationship between poverty and geriatric depression symptoms. In other words, quality of life acts as a protective factor in the relationship between poverty and geriatric depression symptoms. Based on these results, several recommendations are proposed to enhance the quality of life of older adults living in poverty.