Self-concept and Its Relationship with Depression among Older Women in Riyadh City

Abstract

The current study aimed to identify one of the factors that contribute to the emergence of depression among the elderly women, to identify the correlation between self-concept and depression among the elderly women, to identify the differences of self-concept among older women which is attributable to demographic variables, to identify the differences in depression among older women which are attributable to demographic variables, and to identify the possibility of using the self-concept in predicting the depression which the elderly women are suffering from. In order to achieve the objectives of the study; the researcher has used the descriptive and analytical approach. The study population consisted of all the elderly women in the Riyadh city, where the sample of (200) elderly women was selected from the Prince Salman Social Center in addition to some of the places of teaching the Koran in Riyadh. The study found a range of results, including; there were no differences in the degree of depression among older women attributable to the demographic variables (age, education level, marital status, economic level), there are no differences in self-concept among older women attributable to demographic variables (age, educational level, Marital status), and there are differences in the degree of self-concept among older women attributable to the economic level for the benefit of older women with the better economic level. The study also found the existence of a negative relationship at the highest limits of statistical significance between depression and self-concept among older women, as well as the Low self-concept is useful in predicting the depression among older women. The researcher has proposed several recommendations, such as, the attention to developing physical older women through establishing programs that offer material support for older with low-income, in addition to create an elderly Association specialises in sponsoring the elderly women's rights, and provide psychological and moral support to them.   

Keywords: Self-Concept, Depression, Older, Women