Satisfaction with grave visitation and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Japanese adults

This cross-sectional observational study aimed to clarify the relationship between satisfaction with grave visitation and depressive symptoms among Japanese older adults. We analysed older adults who participated in a community health survey (n = 1025). Participants selected meaningful activities from the 95-item Aid for Decision-Making in Occupation Choice and rated their satisfaction on a five-point scale. Depression symptoms were assessed using the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Grave visitation ranked fourth among all activities and was the most frequently chosen social activity. Higher satisfaction with grave visitation was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of depression, particularly in the hopelessness dimension. After adjusting for potential covariates in a Poisson regression analysis, satisfaction with grave visitation was significantly related to depression symptoms (prevalence ratio, .58; 95% confidence interval, .35–.96). Discussing beliefs about the deceased and ancestors and helping to increase satisfaction with grave visitation may help alleviate depressive symptoms.