Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Loneliness among the Elderly Living in Families in Rural Karnataka, Southern India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Population aging is a global phenomenon with an increasing number of elderly individuals experiencing psychological problems. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among the elderly living in Manchi Village, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 elderly individuals in the Manchi Grama panchayat, Bantwal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district. Stratified random sampling was used to select the participants. Data were collected through one-on-one interviews using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for analysis. Results: Among the participants, 36.2% exhibited symptoms of depression (14.4% mild, 10.1% moderate, 10.1% severe), 85.6% reported anxiety (43.4% mild, 20.2% moderate, 21.7% severe), and 71.7% experienced stress (46.4% mild, 13.0% moderate, and 12.3% severe). A significant association was found between depression and family type (p=0.022), with higher levels of depression in nuclear families. Women reported higher depression rates (60%), whereas men showed higher anxiety (73.7%) and stress (60.6%) levels. Conclusion: This study revealed the prevalence of mental health issues in the rural elderly population. Family structure significantly affects depression levels, highlighting the need for targeted mental health interventions, educational programs, and community-based initiatives to enhance the psychological well-being of elderly individuals.