Cognitive Function, Neuroticism, and Depression Among Nursing Home Older Adults in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Massayu Savira Gading; Yanti Harjono Hadiwiardjo; Nurfitri Bustamam; Basuki Supartono

doi:10.56741/IISTR.jphs.002044

Authors

Massayu Savira Gading Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta
Yanti Harjono Hadiwiardjo
yantiharjono@upnvj.ac.id
Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5013-3512
Nurfitri Bustamam Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5759-0991
Basuki Supartono Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2970-0604

Keywords:

Cognitive Function, Depression, Neuroticism, Nursing Home, Older Adults

Abstract

Depression is a serious mental health problem among older adults, especially in social care facilities. This study examines the hypothesis that cognitive function and neuroticism personality are associated with depression among older adults residing in a nursing home, a relationship that remains rarely investigated within the Indonesian institutional context. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 38 older adults aged 60 to 85 years, selected from an initial population of 373 residents through a total sampling approach after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Depression was measured using the GDS-15. Cognitive function was measured using the MoCA-Ina. Neuroticism personality was measured using the BFI-2. Bivariate associations were assessed using Pearson's correlation test. This study found that the majority of respondents did not experience depression (65.8%), although the mean cognitive function score was below the normal threshold (18.58 ± 6.77). There was no significant relationship between cognitive function and depression levels (r = -0.038; 95% CI -0.353 to 0.285; p = 0.821). There was a significant positive correlation between neuroticism personality and depression levels (r = 0.524; 95% CI 0.246 to 0.723; p < 0.001). In summary, neuroticism personality was significantly associated with depression level among institutionalized older adults, whereas cognitive function was not. Neuroticism may therefore be a more relevant psychological marker of depression risk than cognitive status in this population; further studies directly measuring psychosocial and spiritual variables are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying the non-significant cognitive-depression association.

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Author Biographies

Massayu Savira Gading, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta

is an undergraduate medical student at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta, Indonesia. Her academic interests include geriatric medicine, mental health in older adults, cognitive function, personality traits, and depression in elderly populations. (email: 2210211044@mahasiswa.upnvj.ac.id).

Yanti Harjono Hadiwiardjo, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta

is a lecturer in the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), Indonesia. She holds a medical degree and a master’s in public health and is a family specialist and primary care physician with subspecialty training in Community Oriented Primary Care. Dr. Yanti’s academic work includes community health research, supervision of student research, and contributions to public health education. She has also recently completed her doctoral degree, further strengthening her expertise in community-oriented primary care and public health scholarship. (email: yantiharjono@upnvj.ac.id).

Nurfitri Bustamam, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta

is a senior lecturer (Lektor Kepala) in Physiology Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), Indonesia. Her academic expertise includes medical physiology with a particular focus on exercise physiology, cognitive function, and nutrition. She is actively involved in teaching, research, and community service, and has supervised multiple student research projects across clinical and public health topics. (email: nurfitri.bustamam@upnvj.ac.id).

Basuki Supartono, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta

is a full professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jakarta (UPNVJ), Indonesia. He serves as Chair of the University Senate at UPNVJ and has extensive experience in academic leadership, teaching, clinical practice, and community health activities. His work spans medical education, regenerative medicine concepts such as stem cell applications, and orthopedic clinical services. (email: basuki@upnvj.ac.id).

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