Psychological morbidity among co-residents of older people in rural South India: Prevalence and risk factors

Objective: This study attempted to examine psychological morbidity among co-residents of older people living in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Method: This cross-sectional study evaluated psychological morbidity among co-residents using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire and psychiatric morbidity among older people using the 10/66 Dementia Research Group's population-based studies protocol. Socio-demographic data were also collected. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. Results: Of 807 residents evaluated, 73 (9.0%) had significant psychological morbidity. Such morbidity was associated with being older, female, poorer, illiterate, currently employed and being a spouse of the older person. A diagnosis of depression, neuropsychiatric symptoms and greater disability in older people were also associated with psychological morbidity among co-residents. Conclusion: Co-residents living with older people have significant psychological morbidity, which needs to be recognised and treated.