Prevalence of depression in a 55-year-old Finnish population

The prevalence of depression, measured as high rates of depressive symptoms (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale), was studied in a 55-year-old Finnish population consisting of all persons born in 1935 and living in the city of Oulu on 1 October 1990, who were alive at the beginning of the study (n =...

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Published inSocial psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology Vol. 29; no. 3; p. 126
Main Authors Rajala, U, Uusimäki, A, Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi, S, Kivelä, S L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Germany 01.05.1994
Subjects
Depression - epidemiology
Depression - psychology
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - drug therapy
Depressive Disorder - etiology
Employment
Exercise
Female
Finland - epidemiology
Humans
Life Change Events
Male
Marital Status
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Finland
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Summary:The prevalence of depression, measured as high rates of depressive symptoms (Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale), was studied in a 55-year-old Finnish population consisting of all persons born in 1935 and living in the city of Oulu on 1 October 1990, who were alive at the beginning of the study (n = 1008). Of these, 345 men (76%) and 435 women (79%) participated in the examinations. The prevalence of depression was 6.8% in men and 12.1% in women. The group of depressed women consisted of persons who were divorced or widowed, less educated and without work. Among the men, depression was not associated with withdrawal, but with a sedentary lifestyle and the occurrence of two life events during the previous 5 years. Differences in the social roles of the sexes may explain these results.
ISSN:0933-7954
DOI:10.1007/BF00796492