Abstract

The purpose of this ex post facto study was to determine the effects of antihypertensive and cardiac drugs on the level of depression in community-based elders. Roy's Adaptation Model provided the theoretical framework for this study. Data were collected using the Brink Geriatric Depression Scale and the Drug Information Sheet. These questionnaires were administered to 40 subjects ages 55 and older who were taking antihypertensive and/or cardiac drugs or neither antihypertensive nor cardiac drugs. One null hypothesis and five directional hypotheses guided this study. The null hypothesis stated that there would be no difference in mean depression scores among the following groups: (a) elders taking neither antihypertensive nor cardiac drugs, (b) elders taking antihypertensive drugs alone, (c) elders taking cardiac drugs alone, and (d) elders taking a combination of antihypertensive and cardiac drugs. Utilizing the ANOVA, the result was significant at the .05 level. Thus, the researcher rejected the null hypothesis. Directional hypotheses made the following comparisons of community-based elders : Elders who took antihypertensive drugs only and elders who took no drugs, elders who took cardiac drugs only and elders who took no drugs, elders who took antihypertensive and cardiac drugs and elders who took antihypertensive drugs alone, elders who took antihypertensive and cardiac drugs and elders who took cardiac drugs alone, and elders who took antihypertensive and cardiac drugs and elders who took neither antihypertensive nor cardiac drugs. Utilizing the t test, the following comparisons were significant at the .05 level: Elders who took antihypertensive drugs only and elders who took no drugs, elders who took cardiac drugs only and elders who took no drugs, and elders who took antihypertensive and cardiac drugs and elders who took neither antihypertensive nor cardiac drugs. The findings of this study indicate that elders who take antihypertensive and/or cardiac drugs experience a significantly higher level of depression as compared to elders who do not take antihypertensive or cardiac drugs. Pharmacotherapeutic depression may or may not result when antihypertensive and/or cardiac drugs are ingested. Perhaps, as a function of the aging process, depression may be experienced by all elders. Recommendations for further study include conduction of a similar study including chronic illnesses and level of depression and conduction of a study to determine effects of multiple medication ingestion and level of depression.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-1990

Publication Number

27919798

First Advisor

Dr. Mary Patricia Curtis

Second Advisor

Dr. Virginia Cora

Third Advisor

B. J. Landis

Document Type

Thesis

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