Culturally Appropriate Assessment of Depression and Anxiety in Older Torres Strait Islanders: Limitations and Recommendations

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Russell, Sarah G.;Quigley, Rachel;Thompson, Fintan;Sagigi, Betty;Miller, Gavin;LoGiudice, Dina;Smith, Kate;Strivens, Edward;Pachana, Nancy A.
Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Methods: A modified version of the PHQ-9 (KICA-dep) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) were administered as part of a wider dementia prevalence study conducted in the Torres Strait. Results were compared to diagnoses obtained on Geriatric review to evaluate their applicability in the region. Results: A total of 236 participants completed the KICA-dep and 184 completed the GAI short form. Of these, 10.6% were identified with depression and 15.8% with anxiety. Some participants found questions about suicide ideation and self-harm offensive and others had difficulty understanding concepts on the GAI. The KICA-dep performed poorly in comparison to diagnosis on geriatric clinical review, so results are unlikely to reflect the true prevalence of depression in the region. Conclusions: Further research is required to explore the underlying dimensions of depression and anxiety and terminology used to express mood symptoms in the Torres Strait.

Journal

Clinical Gerontologist

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Volume

46

ISBN/ISSN

1545-2301

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Issue

2

Pages Count

13

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Routledge

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DOI

10.1080/07317115.2022.2086090