Mobina Khanaghaii

School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract Title:

Hidden Insomnia, Overt Depression: Analyzing the Association Between Sleep Quality and Mood Disorders in the Elderly Population of Tehran

Biography:

I completed my Master's degree in Gerontology from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. I am currently a lecturer at a small university, teaching courses on aging and elderly health. I recently conducted a cross-sectional study on the relationship between sleep quality and depressive symptoms among older adults in Tehran. I am preparing several of my research papers for publication in national and international journals. My research interests include mental health, sleep disorders, quality of life, post-retirement employment, and social support in the older adults population.

Research Interests:

With the increase in life expectancy and the growing older adult population, attention to both mental and physical health components in this age group has gained special importance. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and depressive symptoms among 200 older adults aged 60 years and above living in Tehran, Iran. Participants were covered by the North Health Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and selected via cluster sampling. Data were collected using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) through self-report. Analysis was performed in SPSS version 23 using Spearman correlation, Fisher’s exact test, chi-square test, and logistic regression. Over 90% of participants were aged 60-70 years, and 67.5% were female. Poor sleep quality was found in 82% of the older adults. Sleep quality significantly associated with economic status, age, and living arrangements (P<0.05). Bivariate analysis showed that depressive symptoms significantly associated with economic status, age, marital status, and living arrangements (P<0.05). Logistic regression revealed that, in addition to sleep quality (OR=2.854, P=0.02), marital status and economic status were also significantly associated with depressive symptoms. A significant inverse relationship exists between sleep quality and depression: higher depression scores reduce sleep quality, and poor sleep may trigger or worsen depression. Besides sleep quality, other variables such as marital and economic status are also associated with depressive symptoms. Timely identification of these factors can aid periodic screening and promote mental health in older adults.