Author:
PRINCE M. J.,HARWOOD R. H.,BLIZARD R. A.,THOMAS A.,MANN A. H.
Abstract
Background. A companion paper reported a very strong
cross-sectional association between handicap and late-life depression.
Adjusting for handicap weakened associations between sociodemographic
variables and depression. It was unclear whether handicap was a
confounder, or a useful summary variable, mediating the effect of a
range of sociodemographic disadvantages. This paper focusses on the
cross-sectional relationship between depression and demographic
variables, social support, and life events.Method. A community survey of all residents over the age
of 65 years of an electoral district in London, UK.Results. There was a moderate association between
SHORT-CARE pervasive depression and the number of life events
experienced over the previous year. Personal illness, bereavement and
theft were the most salient events. There was a stronger, graded,
relationship between the number of social support deficits (SSDs) and
depression. Number of SSDs also related to age, handicap, loneliness
and use of homecare services. Loneliness was itself strongly
associated with depression; odds ratio 12·4
(7·6–20·0).Conclusions. Problems of collinearity, and the
cross-sectional design of the study limited interpretation of the
exact nature of the relationship between social support, loneliness,
handicap and depression. However, the clustering of these four factors
can be used to define a large part of the elderly population with a
poor quality of life. An important avenue for future research will be
the development and implementation of population intervention
strategies designed to address some or all of these problems among
older people in general.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Psychiatry and Mental health,Applied Psychology
Cited by
308 articles.
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