Abstract:
In this study, a comparison was made between scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Social Interest Scale and Bender-Gestalt profiles. Research on elderly nursing home residents and their levels of depression is growing. However, there is comparatively little exploration on the Bender-Gestalt as a tool for the elderly. No study has been completed prior to this in which a consistent Bender-Gestalt profile of depressed and/or sociable elderly nursing home residents was identified. In this study, consistencies between factors scored on the Bender-Gestalt and Geriatric Depression Scale scores were illustrated. In addition, there were identifiable differences between subjects' level of social interest and their Bender-Gestalt profiles.