Relationship between mental health literacy, mental self-care behaviors, and depression among diabetic and hypertensive elderly patients in Chiang Kham, Phayao Province, Thailand

Mental health literacy and self-care are essential for improving mental health outcomes, particularly among the elderly with chronic conditions. However, limited research has explored how these factors interact with depression in elderly individuals with both diabetes and hypertension. This cross-sectional study aims to examine mental health literacy and self-care behaviour, their interrelation, and their influence on depression among elderly individuals with diabetes and hypertension in the Chiang Kham District, Phayao Province. The sample comprised 405 elderly individuals diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, who were interviewed by the research team utilizing questionnaires for data collection. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that the demographic was predominantly female (65.20%), with an average age of 68.29 years. Approximately 50.40% exhibited deficient mental health literacy, while 66.70% showed a low level of mental self-care behaviour. Additionally, 13.30% exhibited mild depression. Multiple Linear Regression Analysis identified six predictors of depression: education (B=-2.153, p-value<0.001), income (B=-1.743, p-value<0.01), family history of mental illness (B=1.477, p-value<0.01), alcohol consumption (B=1.035, p-value<0.05), mental health literacy (MHL) (B=-0.047, p-value<0.05), and mental self-care behaviour (MSCB) (B=0.093, p-value<0.001). Therefore, health agencies and related organisations should prioritize mental health activities and policies to alleviate depression among elderly individuals with diabetes and hypertension.