There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among hospitalized patients, with significant sociodemographic disparities and a gap in social worker intervention.
High depressive symptom prevalence signals unmet needs in hospitalized patients; leaves open whether expanded screening improves social work contact and outcomes.
Depressive symptoms are common among hospitalized patients and can indicate more serious problems. This study examined the level of depressive symptoms among patients in one hospital in Jerusalem, the variables related to depression, and the extent to which social workers provided services to those patients. Over 60% of patients reported high levels of depressive symptoms. Levels were higher among Arabs, those with lower income, small social networks, stronger locus of control (powerful others), weaker internal locus of control, and low emotional support from staff. Social workers were in contact with 44% of patients who had high levels of depressive symptoms.
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Gail K. Auslander (2012) studied this question.
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