ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between psychological distress and disability and the risk of developing morbidity among the tribal elderly in Odisha. Data were collected from 373 tribal elderly respondents, randomly selected from 20 different villages spread over 2 blocks of a scheduled district of the state. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression have been employed to address the objectives of the study. Results show a higher prevalence of multi-morbidity among males (67.7%) as compared to females (65.2%). Prevalence of functional disability (IADL), and psychological distress were comparatively higher among the females (25.5% and 29.9%) than males (24.9% and 16.9%). Result from logistic regression analysis shows that multi-morbidity is significantly associated with physical disability, psychological stress, and functional disability. The probability of having physical disability is 1.87 times more among those who are having multi-morbidity as compared to the reference category. Age and gender-specific policy formulation is an essential component to ensure healthy ageing in countries like India. For reducing the burden of morbidity, disability and psychological distress among the elderly population, more priority should be given to the female elderly and elderly males in the higher age group of 70 and above.
