Vulnerabilities, depression, and religiosity in the elderly hospitalised in an emergency unit. / Vulnerabilidades, depressão e religiosidade em idosos internados em uma unidade de emergência.

OBJECTIVES: To identify vulnerabilities and the association between religiosity and depressive signs in the elderly hospitalised in an emergency unit. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 140 elderly patients admitted to a public hospital in the Federal District, Brazil, between May and October 2016. Data were collected using a semi-structured health questionnaire, the Duke University Religion Scale (DUREL), and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS: The elderly patients were vulnerable in terms of schooling, place of residence, and life habits, and 37.3% exhibited signs of depression. A weak association was found between religiosity and the development of depressive signs (p ≤ 0, R = 0.12; p = 0.02 and r = 0.06). CONCLUSION: The results showed isolated religiosity is not an effective protective factor, but it strengthens resilience in the face of disease and serves as a support network for the elderly.