Perceived Physical Health and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Nepali Adults: The Moderating Role of the Components of Hope and Self-Compassion, and Place of Residence.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined whether the components of hope (agency and pathways) and self-compassion (self-warmth and self-coldness) moderate the relationship between poorer perceived physical health and depressive symptoms, and whether these moderating effects are conditional on place of residence.

METHODS

A sample of 508 Nepali adults aged 60 to 95 years (M = 69.7, SD = 8.16) completed the Adult Hope Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, physical health items of the Duke Health Profile, and short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale.

RESULTS

Almost half (46.3%) of the sample had sub-threshold depressive symptoms. Pathways weakened the association between poorer perceived physical health and depressive symptoms for urban older adults. Self-coldness strengthened the association between poorer perceived physical health and depressive symptoms for rural older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathways are a protective factor for Nepali older adults experiencing poorer perceived physical health from urban areas, whereas self-coldness is an additional risk factor for those living in rural areas.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among Nepali older adults with poorer perceived physical health should focus on increasing pathways in urban areas and reducing self-coldness in rural areas.