Comparative study of the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress in older adults with and without type 2 Diabetes in Kermanshah
Journal of Behdasht dar Arseh (i.e., Health in the Field),
Vol. 13 No. 4 (1404),
5 Shahrivar 2026
,
Page 16-22
https://doi.org/10.22037/jhf.v13i4.51476
Abstract
Background and Aims: Diabetes in older adults is associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders. Given the limited domestic research in western regions of Iran, this study aimed to compare the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms among older adults with and without type 2 diabetes in Kermanshah, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study included 542 adults aged 60 years and older (271 with diabetes and 271 without diabetes) who were recruited from comprehensive health centers in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2025. Participants were selected through multistage random sampling (stratified-cluster sampling). The mean age of the participants was 67.7 years, and most were women. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the standardized Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale–21 (DASS-21). Data analysis was performed using the independent-samples t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS version 25, with a significance level of P < 0.05. Ethical principles were observed throughout the study.
Results: Mean scores for anxiety (7.7 ± 3.8 vs. 4.3 ± 3.1), stress (8.08 ± 3.7 vs. 5.1 ± 3.5), and depression (7.5 ± 4.29 vs. 4.5 ± 3.8) were significantly higher among older adults with diabetes than among those without diabetes (P < 0.05). The prevalence of moderate-to-extremely severe depression was significantly higher in the diabetic group (12.5% vs. 1.1%), as was the prevalence of moderate-to-extremely severe anxiety (24.7% vs. 6.3%) (P < 0.001). Analysis of covariance, after controlling for potential confounders including age, sex, educational level, and income, confirmed that these differences remained statistically significant (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Older adults with diabetes experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than their non-diabetic counterparts. These findings highlight the need to integrate mental health screening into diabetes care programs for older adults.
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Older adults
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
How to Cite
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