Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression, suicidal ideation,
emotional quality of life, and help-seeking propensity among the elderly treated by the
Mekedonia Humanitarian Association, Addis Ababa Ayat. A mixed-approach, explanatory,
sequential research design was employed. The Total population 450 elderly and the samples of
212 elders were selected using simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Standardized
scales and interviews were used to collect data. Descriptive, structural equation modeling,
mediation analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyze the data.
Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The prevalence
result showed a 46% and 35% prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation, respectively.
Moreover, a mediation analysis of the direct effect showed that there was a statistically
significant relationship between depression and emotional quality of life. Indirect effect analysis
indicated that help-seeking propensity partially and statistically mediates the relationship
between depression, suicidal ideation, and emotional quality of life (β= 0.-48 t=-7, p= 0.00 0r
P=<0.01) Gender difference analysis also indicated that there was a statistically significant
difference in depression and suicidal ideation between male and female elders, with female
elders having more depression and suicidal ideation than their male counterparts P= <0.05 0r
P=0.001 Conclusively, elders in the humanitarian association had depression and suicidal
ideation, in which the emotional quality of life is weak when help-seeking propensity, is absent.
Thus, the study suggested that the organization should provide training and a developmental
psychoeducational program focused on help-seeking propensity in order to lessen depression
and suicidal ideation and enhance the emotional quality of life among elders.
