Perceived Physical Health and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Nepali Adults: The Moderating Role of the Components of Hope and Self-Compassion, and Place of Residence

Objectives This study examined whether the components of hope (agency and pathways) and self-compassion (self-warmth and self-coldness) moderate the relationship between poorer perceived physical health and depressive symptoms, and whether these moderating effects are conditional on place of residence.Methods A sample of 508 Nepali adults aged 60 to 95 years (M = 69.7, SD = 8.16) completed the Adult Hope Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, physical health items of the Duke Health Profile, and short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale.Results Almost half (46.3%) of the sample had sub-threshold depressive symptoms. Pathways weakened the association between poorer perceived physical health and depressive symptoms for urban older adults. Self-coldness strengthened the association between poorer perceived physical health and depressive symptoms for rural older adults.Conclusions Pathways are a protective factor for Nepali older adults experiencing poorer perceived physical health from urban areas, whereas self-coldness is an additional risk factor for those living in rural areas.Clinical implications Interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among Nepali older adults with poorer perceived physical health should focus on increasing pathways in urban areas and reducing self-coldness in rural areas.