The role of frailty, social networks, and depression in self-neglect in an older Chinese population: A cross-sectional descriptive study

OBJECTIVES: To identify the role of frailty, social networks, and depression in self-neglect in an older Chinese population. METHODS: The study was conducted in 521 older adults recruited from four community healthcare centers in a district in Beijing, China. Participants were investigated by a set of questionnaires. RESULTS: Frailty (β=0.150, p=0.759) was not associated with self-neglect of older adults. Social isolation (β=1.980, p<0.001) and depression (β=3.606, p<0.001) were both factors associated with self-neglect in older adults. CONCLUSION: Management of depression and improvement of social networks of older adults should be incorporated into interventional strategies to effectively control self-neglect. Understanding self-neglect and its associated factors will ultimately contribute to the intervention development and well-being of older adults.