Hierarchy of characteristics associated with depressive symptoms in an urban elderly sample

In contrast to the uncertainty about the prevalence and importance of late-life depressive disorders, a consistent pattern of risk factors for depressive symptoms has been shown by studies using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The authors surveyed a representative samp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe American journal of psychiatry Vol. 146; no. 2; p. 220
Main Authors Kennedy, G J, Kelman, H R, Thomas, C, Wisniewski, W, Metz, H, Bijur, P E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.02.1989
Subjects
Activities of Daily Living
Aged - psychology
Aged, 80 and over
Depression - diagnosis
Depression - psychology
Female
Grief
Health Status
Humans
Male
Personality Inventory
Poverty
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Sex Factors
Sleep Wake Disorders - diagnosis
Sleep Wake Disorders - psychology
Social Isolation
Urban Population
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Summary:In contrast to the uncertainty about the prevalence and importance of late-life depressive disorders, a consistent pattern of risk factors for depressive symptoms has been shown by studies using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). The authors surveyed a representative sample of 2,137 elderly community residents with the CES-D and found a hierarchy of characteristics associated with substantial levels of depressive symptoms: illness, disability, isolation, bereavement, and poverty. If these findings are confirmed by prospective studies, addressing modifiable factors in the emergence, persistence, and remission of depressive symptoms might extend the independent survival of older adults.
ISSN:0002-953X
DOI:10.1176/ajp.146.2.220