Background
Population ageing is an important global demographic transformation accompanied by increasing health and social care needs. Although ageing is not synonymous with illness, older adults are vulnerable to several physical, psychological, and social challenges that can adversely affect their quality of life. Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, cognitive decline, and social withdrawal are frequently under-recognized among older adults. Limited mental health literacy, stigma, misconceptions about ageing, and inadequate access to mental health services can delay recognition and treatment. Understanding the level of knowledge regarding mental well-being among older adults is therefore important for planning appropriate community-based health education and supportive interventions.
Objective
To assess the level of knowledge regarding mental well-being among older adults residing in selected community areas of Vadodara District and to determine the association between mental well-being knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 older adults aged 60 years and above residing in selected community areas of Vadodara District . Participants were selected using convenient sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured interview schedule consisting of socio-demographic variables and a mental well-being assessment tool. The tool was pretested among 5% of the sample to assess clarity and validity. Data were coded and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of participants and levels of mental well-being knowledge. The chi-square test was used to determine associations between mental well-being knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
Among the 60 participants, 56.6% demonstrated average knowledge regarding mental well-being, 26.6% demonstrated poor knowledge, and only 16.7% demonstrated good knowledge. More than half of the participants were aged 60–70 years (51.7%), while 48.3% were above 71 years. Males constituted 58% of the sample and females 42%. Regarding education, 30% had no formal education and only 10% had completed bachelor-level education or above. Forty percent reported a monthly family income between ₹5,000 and ₹10,000. No statistically significant association was identified between mental well-being knowledge and age, gender, religion, education, or income (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
The findings indicate that mental well-being knowledge among older adults was predominantly at an average level, with a considerable proportion demonstrating poor knowledge. The findings highlight the importance of community-based mental health education, early identification of psychological concerns, family involvement, supportive social environments, and integration of mental health promotion into routine geriatric care.
Mental well-beingolder adultsmental health literacyageingcommunity healthelderlyhealth education
Background
Population ageing is an important global demographic transformation accompanied by increasing health and social care needs. Although ageing is not synonymous with illness, older adults are vulnerable to several physical, psychological, and social challenges that can adversely affect their quality of life. Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, loneliness, cognitive decline, and social withdrawal are frequently under-recognized among older adults. Limited mental health literacy, stigma, misconceptions about ageing, and inadequate access to mental health services can delay recognition and treatment. Understanding the level of knowledge regarding mental well-being among older adults is therefore important for planning appropriate community-based health education and supportive interventions.
Objective
To assess the level of knowledge regarding mental well-being among older adults residing in selected community areas of Vadodara District and to determine the association between mental well-being knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables.
Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 older adults aged 60 years and above residing in selected community areas of Vadodara District . Participants were selected using convenient sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured interview schedule consisting of socio-demographic variables and a mental well-being assessment tool. The tool was pretested among 5% of the sample to assess clarity and validity. Data were coded and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of participants and levels of mental well-being knowledge. The chi-square test was used to determine associations between mental well-being knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results
Among the 60 participants, 56.6% demonstrated average knowledge regarding mental well-being, 26.6% demonstrated poor knowledge, and only 16.7% demonstrated good knowledge. More than half of the participants were aged 60–70 years (51.7%), while 48.3% were above 71 years. Males constituted 58% of the sample and females 42%. Regarding education, 30% had no formal education and only 10% had completed bachelor-level education or above. Forty percent reported a monthly family income between ₹5,000 and ₹10,000. No statistically significant association was identified between mental well-being knowledge and age, gender, religion, education, or income (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
The findings indicate that mental well-being knowledge among older adults was predominantly at an average level, with a considerable proportion demonstrating poor knowledge. The findings highlight the importance of community-based mental health education, early identification of psychological concerns, family involvement, supportive social environments, and integration of mental health promotion into routine geriatric care.
Mental well-beingolder adultsmental health literacyageingcommunity healthelderlyhealth education