Examining the Impact of Disasters on Depression among Older Adults: Insights from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), 2017–18

Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental health condition globally, particularly affecting older adults. Disasters, both natural and man-made, are significant contributors to depressive symptoms. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the impact of disasters on the development of depressive symptoms among older adults in India. This study utilized data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave-1, which includes individual aged 45 and older. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between health impacts of disaster and depressive symptoms. The impact of disasters on depressive symptoms was assessed using the propensity score matching (PSM). Around, 4.1% of older adults reported that their health was affected by either natural or man-made disasters. The odds of depressive symptoms were higher among older adults whose health was affected by any disaster [AOR 2.7, CI 1.9, 3.9] while in the unadjusted model, the likelihood of having depressive symptoms increased by 3.5 times [UOR 3.5, 95% CI: 2.4, 4.9] compared to older adults whose health was not affected by disaster exposure. Results from PSM indicated that, on an average, individuals whose health was affected by disaster have 9.7% higher chance of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to those individuals whose health was not affected by disaster. Findings indicate that older adults whose health was affected by disasters exhibited a higher likelihood of having depressive symptoms. Policies that prioritize mental health care for older adults in disaster preparedness plans are crucial. Strengthening community networks before disasters could enhance the communal resilience and provide better support structures for older adults.