Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sleep and mood disorders are common health problems in older adults and can have a marked impact on overall well-being. Poor sleep quality has been linked to cognitive decline, frailty, and depressive symptoms, all of which can reduce independence and quality of life. Older adults in rural areas may face added challenges such as limited healthcare access, financial hardship, and social isolation. Examining how sleep quality and mood interact in this group, alongside their sociodemographic characteristics, is important for identifying ways to support healthy aging. This study investigated the relationship between sleep quality and depressive symptoms in adults aged 80 years and older living in rural Türkiye. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was carried out between October 2024 and January 2025 in Tuzlukçu, a rural district of Konya, Türkiye. Data were collected from 205 participants aged 80 to 101 years using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Sociodemographic information was obtained through structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Spearman's correlation analyses were used to explore associations between sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and participant characteristics. RESULTS: Nearly half of the participants (97, 47.3%) reported poor sleep quality, and 39.6% showed signs of depression (61, 29.8% mild; 20, 9.8% severe). A positive correlation was found between PSQI and GDS total scores (r = 0.361, P < 0.001), indicating that poorer sleep quality was linked to higher levels of depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Poor sleep quality was closely associated with depressive symptoms among adults aged 80 years and older in rural Türkiye. Regular assessment of sleep and mood in community-based elder care, along with education on sleep hygiene and social support initiatives, may help improve mental well-being in this population.