Kontakt 2016, 18(3):e194-e202 | DOI: 10.1016/j.kontakt.2016.07.002

The psychosocial aspects of the genesis of depression in old age and the possibilities of using group psychotherapySocial Sciences in Health - Review article

Katarína Kotradyová

Katolícka univerzita v Ružomberku, Teologická fakulta v Košiciach, Teologický inštitút, Ružomberok, Slovenská republika

The author discusses a survey study on aging phenomenon, and describes its manifestations in the context of biological, psychological and social nature. We pay attention to the increase of mental disorders especially depression, which is subsequently discussed and characterized. The paper is primarily aimed at highlighting the aspects affecting the formation of depression, which occurs in older ages and in particular the aspects that we call psychosocial summary. The author, however, does not link the formation of depression only with psychosocial factors, and points out that the formation of depression in seniors is shared with physical limitations, natural disease, and cognitive changes, but these physical changes contribute to the development of negative social phenomena such as loneliness, isolation, loss of contact, etc. Depression in older age has a strong social background, which means its treatment carries certain specifics, especially in the context of combining medication with psychotherapy. Therefore, within the presented summarizing study, in the second part the author focuses on psychotherapy as one of the possible supporting medical activities. The author then defines psychotherapy when working with a senior, as a planned and controlled therapy through an immediate influence on senior's psyche. The author puts a group form of therapy to the foreground and at the same time examines individual psychotherapeutic attitudes, which are suitable for the offered group therapy and could be helpful in the treatment of depressive life periods of an elderly person. The meaning of senior group therapy is mainly based on the possibility to provide or restore social support, which is inevitable in one's old age.

Keywords: Old age; Depression; Psychotherapy; Isolation; Loneliness; Psychosocial aspects; Group psychotherapy; Older age

Received: February 9, 2016; Revised: May 20, 2016; Accepted: July 29, 2016; Published: September 30, 2016  Show citation