Dr. G. SATHIYAN
Abstract
Psychosocial problems affecting elderly people have become particularly meaningful not only because of
health considerations but also because of their significant social consequences. To assess psychosocial
problems among elderly people suffering from chronic diseases, according to the PCH-R scale. The study
was conducted in a group of 50 chronic elderly patients following the principles of the Declaration of
Helsinki. A socio-demographic questionnaire and the PCH-R scale assessing psychosocial problems were
applied. An analysis of eta correlations between the subjects gender and their psychosocial problems
showed statistically significant correlations between personality, social, and occupational spheres. The
average level of problems within the personality, social, and occupational spheres was statistically
significantly higher in women than in men. Gender accounted for 4% of the variance in results in
personality, social, and occupational spheres but only 0.4% of the variance in the family sphere. The study
showed a statistically significant negative correlation between age and psychosocial problems in all
spheres. Psychosocial problems of older people are influenced by their gender (in personality, family, and
occupational spheres women reported a higher intensity of psychosocial problems) and age (in personality,
family, social, and occupational spheres the intensity of psychosocial problems decreased with age).
Psychosocial problems of elderly people tend to interact with one another.
Keywords
Psychosocial Problems, Elders problems, Gender, Ageing