The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlations between social support, dependence of activities of daily living and depression among Parkinson's disease patients. Subjects were 122 patients with Parkinson's disease. Neurologic wards inpatients or neurology clinic out patients department in a tertiary-affiliated hospital in Seoul. Data were collected from April 1996 to March 1997. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. The lower the level of dependence of activities of daily living, the lower the level of depression. 2. The higher the level of perceived family support, the lower the level of depression. 3. The higher the level of perceived health personnel support, the lower the level of depression. 4. The rate of depression evaluated by Zung depression scale was 37.4%(mild to moderate:30.1%, moderate to severe:4.1%, severe:3.2%). 5. Socio-demographic characteristics sex, education, occupation, and the charge person of treatment cost, significantly influenced the level of depression. 6. There was no significant difference in level of depression, dependence of activities of daily living, stage of disease between user and nonuser of L-dopa. Suggestions were made for further studies: 1. To develop nursing intervention for decreasing the dependence of activities daily living is needed. 2. To identify the change pattern of depression by time.
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