In this editorial, the author reviews the findings of seven studies on the topic of late life depression and compares these studies with the state of the field in terms of empirical research when he wrote his 1982 book.
(Original abstract)
In this editorial, the author reviews the findings of seven studies on the topic of late life depression and compares these studies with the state of the field in terms of empirical research when he wrote his 1982 book.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, ageing, depression, mental health problems;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 26(1), January 2011, pp.31-38.
Publisher:
Wiley
... older adults. The researchers concluded that clinically significant anxiety is common among older adults receiving ageing services care management, and is associated with social, medical, and psychiatric factors. They suggest that effective treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach.
The Aging Services Network (ASN) is a national system of approximately 30,000 local and state agencies providing human services to older adults and caregivers in the United States. In this study, interviews were conducted with 378 clients aged 60 years or older from a New York State-based ASN, as part of an academic-community partnership for studying the mental health needs of community dwelling older adults. The researchers concluded that clinically significant anxiety is common among older adults receiving ageing services care management, and is associated with social, medical, and psychiatric factors. They suggest that effective treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, older people, ageing, anxiety;
... policy and practice frameworks in the UK tend to focus either on older people or on mental health. Age discrimination and the stigma surrounding mental illness act as a 'double whammy' that disadvantages all older people. Gaps are starting to be filled but mental health problems are still too often seen as a 'normal' part of ageing. There is a notable lack of understanding of the wide range of older
The mental health and well-being of older people is a much neglected issue. Dementia affects 1 in 20 people over the age of 65, and depression is even more common, affecting up to 1 in 6 in the same age group. Other mental health problems are at least as common among older people as they are among younger people. Older people's mental health often falls 'between two stools' because research, policy and practice frameworks in the UK tend to focus either on older people or on mental health. Age discrimination and the stigma surrounding mental illness act as a 'double whammy' that disadvantages all older people. Gaps are starting to be filled but mental health problems are still too often seen as a 'normal' part of ageing. There is a notable lack of understanding of the wide range of older people's mental health needs and how they may differ from those of younger people. As a result, these needs are not being recognised or met.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, ageing, dementia, health needs;
British Journal of Psychiatry, 195(2), August 2009, pp.149-155.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Prospective data on the association between common mental disorders and obesity are scarce, and the impact of ageing on this association is poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the association between common mental disorders and obesity (body mass index 30 kg/m2) across the adult life course. The participants, 6820 men and 3346 women, aged 35–55 were screened four times during a 19-year
Prospective data on the association between common mental disorders and obesity are scarce, and the impact of ageing on this association is poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the association between common mental disorders and obesity (body mass index 30 kg/m2) across the adult life course. The participants, 6820 men and 3346 women, aged 35–55 were screened four times during a 19-year follow-up (the Whitehall II study). Each screening included measurements of mental disorders (the General Health Questionnaire), weight and height. Results showed that the excess risk of obesity in the presence of mental disorders increased with age. The estimated proportion of people who were obese was 5.7% at age 40 both in the presence and absence of mental disorders, but the corresponding figures were 34.6% and 27.1% at age 70. The excess risk did not vary by gender or according to ethnic group or socioeconomic position. the authors conclude that the association between common mental disorders and obesity becomes stronger at older ages.
Subject terms:
longitudinal studies, mental health problems, obesity, risk, ageing;
Aging and Mental Health, 12(5), September 2008, pp.605-614.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
An analysis of data on women from a British 1946 birth cohort study and the U.S. Health and Retirement Study birth cohort of 1931-1941 was conducted to examine the relationship between early age at first birth and mental health among women in their fifties. In both samples a first birth before 21 years, compared to a later first birth, is associated with poorer mental health. The association between early first birth and poorer mental health persists in the British study even after controlling for early socioeconomic status, midlife socioeconomic status and midlife health. In the U.S. sample, the association becomes non-significant after controlling for educational attainment.
An analysis of data on women from a British 1946 birth cohort study and the U.S. Health and Retirement Study birth cohort of 1931-1941 was conducted to examine the relationship between early age at first birth and mental health among women in their fifties. In both samples a first birth before 21 years, compared to a later first birth, is associated with poorer mental health. The association between early first birth and poorer mental health persists in the British study even after controlling for early socioeconomic status, midlife socioeconomic status and midlife health. In the U.S. sample, the association becomes non-significant after controlling for educational attainment.
Subject terms:
mental health, mental health problems, mothers, ageing, childbirth;
Social Science and Medicine, 62(5), March 2006, pp.1179-1191.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Nation-wide research on mental health problems amongst men and women during the transition from employment to retirement is limited. This study sought to explore the relationship between retirement and mental health across older adulthood, whilst considering age and known risk factors for mental disorders. Data were from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being, a cross-sectional survey of 10,641 Australian adults. The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was analysed in the sub-sample of men (n=1928) and women (n=2261) aged 45–74 years. Mental health was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Instrument. Additional measures were used to assess respondents’ physical health, demographic and personal characteristics. The prevalence of common mental disorders diminished across increasing age groups of men and women. Women aged 55–59, 65–69, and 70–74 had significantly lower rates of mental disorders than those aged 45–49. In contrast, only men aged 65–69 and 70–74 demonstrated significantly lower prevalence compared with men aged 45–49. Amongst younger men, retirees were significantly more likely to have a common mental disorder relative to men still in the labour force; however, this was not the case for retired men of, or nearing, the traditional retirement age of 65. Men and women with poor physical health were also more likely to have a diagnosable mental disorder. The findings of this study indicate that, for men, the relationship between retirement and mental health varies with age. The poorer mental health of men who retire early is not explained by usual risk factors. Given current policy changes in many countries to curtail early retirement, these findings highlight the need to consider mental health, and its influencing factors, when encouraging continued employment amongst older adults.
Nation-wide research on mental health problems amongst men and women during the transition from employment to retirement is limited. This study sought to explore the relationship between retirement and mental health across older adulthood, whilst considering age and known risk factors for mental disorders. Data were from the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being, a cross-sectional survey of 10,641 Australian adults. The prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was analysed in the sub-sample of men (n=1928) and women (n=2261) aged 45–74 years. Mental health was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Instrument. Additional measures were used to assess respondents’ physical health, demographic and personal characteristics. The prevalence of common mental disorders diminished across increasing age groups of men and women. Women aged 55–59, 65–69, and 70–74 had significantly lower rates of mental disorders than those aged 45–49. In contrast, only men aged 65–69 and 70–74 demonstrated significantly lower prevalence compared with men aged 45–49. Amongst younger men, retirees were significantly more likely to have a common mental disorder relative to men still in the labour force; however, this was not the case for retired men of, or nearing, the traditional retirement age of 65. Men and women with poor physical health were also more likely to have a diagnosable mental disorder. The findings of this study indicate that, for men, the relationship between retirement and mental health varies with age. The poorer mental health of men who retire early is not explained by usual risk factors. Given current policy changes in many countries to curtail early retirement, these findings highlight the need to consider mental health, and its influencing factors, when encouraging continued employment amongst older adults.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, retirement, ageing, anxiety, depression;
Objectives: Hopelessness is a key element of suicidal intent. It can instill a pessimistic outlook on the future, leading an individual to believe that suicide is the only answer to their problems. Hopelessness operates as a modulating variable between depression and suicidal behavior. The aim of this study was to confirm the factor structure of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in a non-clinical sample. Method: Three hundred and sixty-two Spanish individuals, aged over 60, free of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms, completed the BHS scale. Participants were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), using one-, two- and three-factor models. Results: The one- and two-factor models presented adequate fit indices. Specifically, the indices of the two-factor models were better than those of the one-factor model. The two-factor model, without items 4, 9 and 14, provided the best fit, given that the indices obtained in the CFA and their internal consistency were better than those of the other models. Conclusion: The validation of the BHS for a population of Spanish older adults provides a reliable and valid measure of hopelessness and could be useful in clinical practice and research as an effective tool for the early detection of suicidal behaviors.
(Publisher abstract)
Objectives: Hopelessness is a key element of suicidal intent. It can instill a pessimistic outlook on the future, leading an individual to believe that suicide is the only answer to their problems. Hopelessness operates as a modulating variable between depression and suicidal behavior. The aim of this study was to confirm the factor structure of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in a non-clinical sample. Method: Three hundred and sixty-two Spanish individuals, aged over 60, free of cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms, completed the BHS scale. Participants were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), using one-, two- and three-factor models. Results: The one- and two-factor models presented adequate fit indices. Specifically, the indices of the two-factor models were better than those of the one-factor model. The two-factor model, without items 4, 9 and 14, provided the best fit, given that the indices obtained in the CFA and their internal consistency were better than those of the other models. Conclusion: The validation of the BHS for a population of Spanish older adults provides a reliable and valid measure of hopelessness and could be useful in clinical practice and research as an effective tool for the early detection of suicidal behaviors.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, quality of life, suicide, attitudes, ageing, depression, mental health problems;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(12), 2017, pp.e132-e140.
Publisher:
Wiley
Objective: This study examined the associations of personality characteristics with both subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults.
Methods: Three hundred and seventy-eight depressed older adults participated in the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons. Personality characteristics were assessed by the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression were determined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between personality and atypical, melancholic, and unspecified subtypes of major depression. Linear regression analyses examined the associations between personality and the IDS mood, somatic, and motivation symptom dimensions. The analyses were adjusted for confounders and additionally adjusted for depression severity.
Results: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness were associated with specified (atypical or melancholic) major depression compared with unspecified major depression in the bivariate analyses but lost their significance after adjustments for functional limitations and severity of depression. Neuroticism was positively associated with the IDS mood and motivation symptom dimensions, also in the adjusted models. Further, Extraversion and Agreeableness were negatively associated with the IDS mood symptom dimension, and Extraversion and Conscientiousness were negatively associated with the IDS motivation symptom dimension. None was associated with the IDS somatic symptom dimension.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated the association of personality characteristics with mood and motivational symptoms of late-life depression. The lacking ability of personality to differentiate between melancholic and atypical depression seems to be largely explained by severity of depressive symptoms
(Publisher abstract)
Objective: This study examined the associations of personality characteristics with both subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults.
Methods: Three hundred and seventy-eight depressed older adults participated in the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons. Personality characteristics were assessed by the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression were determined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between personality and atypical, melancholic, and unspecified subtypes of major depression. Linear regression analyses examined the associations between personality and the IDS mood, somatic, and motivation symptom dimensions. The analyses were adjusted for confounders and additionally adjusted for depression severity.
Results: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness were associated with specified (atypical or melancholic) major depression compared with unspecified major depression in the bivariate analyses but lost their significance after adjustments for functional limitations and severity of depression. Neuroticism was positively associated with the IDS mood and motivation symptom dimensions, also in the adjusted models. Further, Extraversion and Agreeableness were negatively associated with the IDS mood symptom dimension, and Extraversion and Conscientiousness were negatively associated with the IDS motivation symptom dimension. None was associated with the IDS somatic symptom dimension.
Conclusions: This study demonstrated the association of personality characteristics with mood and motivational symptoms of late-life depression. The lacking ability of personality to differentiate between melancholic and atypical depression seems to be largely explained by severity of depressive symptoms
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
personality, depression, older people, mental health problems, motivation, ageing;
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(12), 2017, pp.1217-1225.
Publisher:
Wiley
Objective: Personality traits have been shown to be predictors of depressive symptoms in late life. The authors examined whether other more modifiable sources of individual differences such as self-efficacy and self-perceptions of ageing would mediate the association between personality traits and depressive symptoms in older adults.
Method: Data were obtained from 3,507 older adult participants who took part in the 2012 Health and Retirement Study. The “Big Five” personality traits, self-efficacy, ageing perceptions, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Mediation analyses tested the hypothesis that self-efficacy and ageing perceptions would mediate the relationship between personality traits and depressive symptoms.
Results: All five personality traits were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Neuroticism was positively associated with depressive symptoms and had the greatest effect compared with the other personality traits. There was a significant indirect effect of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness on depressive symptoms (including both mediators). The mediating effect of ageing perceptions on the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms was the strongest compared with self-efficacy, accounting for approximately 80% of the total indirect effect.
Conclusion: The authors results provide support for interventions aimed at improving self-perceptions related to efficacy and ageing in order to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objective: Personality traits have been shown to be predictors of depressive symptoms in late life. The authors examined whether other more modifiable sources of individual differences such as self-efficacy and self-perceptions of ageing would mediate the association between personality traits and depressive symptoms in older adults.
Method: Data were obtained from 3,507 older adult participants who took part in the 2012 Health and Retirement Study. The “Big Five” personality traits, self-efficacy, ageing perceptions, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Mediation analyses tested the hypothesis that self-efficacy and ageing perceptions would mediate the relationship between personality traits and depressive symptoms.
Results: All five personality traits were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Neuroticism was positively associated with depressive symptoms and had the greatest effect compared with the other personality traits. There was a significant indirect effect of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness on depressive symptoms (including both mediators). The mediating effect of ageing perceptions on the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms was the strongest compared with self-efficacy, accounting for approximately 80% of the total indirect effect.
Conclusion: The authors results provide support for interventions aimed at improving self-perceptions related to efficacy and ageing in order to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, ageing, attitudes, depression, mental health problems, personality, risk;
Journal of Social Work Practice, 31(2), 2017, pp.155-170.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Dominant discourses of ageing are often confined to what is less painful to think about and therefore idealise or denigrate ageing and later life. The authors present findings from an exploratory psychosocial study, in a Nordic context, into three later-life transitions: from working life to retirement, from mental health to dementia and from life to death. Because, for some, these topics are hard to bear and therefore defended against and routinely excluded from everyday awareness, the authors used a method led by imagery and affect – the visual matrix – to elicit participants’ free associative personal and collective imagination. Through analysis of data extracts, on the three transitions, we illustrate oscillations between defending against the challenges of ageing and realism
(Edited publisher abstract)
Dominant discourses of ageing are often confined to what is less painful to think about and therefore idealise or denigrate ageing and later life. The authors present findings from an exploratory psychosocial study, in a Nordic context, into three later-life transitions: from working life to retirement, from mental health to dementia and from life to death. Because, for some, these topics are hard to bear and therefore defended against and routinely excluded from everyday awareness, the authors used a method led by imagery and affect – the visual matrix – to elicit participants’ free associative personal and collective imagination. Through analysis of data extracts, on the three transitions, we illustrate oscillations between defending against the challenges of ageing and realism in facing the anxieties it can provoke. A recurring theme includes the finality of individual life and the inter-generational continuity, which together link life and death, hope and despair, separation and connectedness
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, ageing, psychosocial approach, dementia, mental health problems, life events;