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Age differences in depression and anxiety symptoms: a structural equation modelling analysis of data from a general
H Christensen1, A F Jorm, A J Mackinnon
1NHMRC Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Centre, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Psychological Medicine
|April 28, 1999
Summary
Older adults may experience depression and anxiety differently, with specific symptoms appearing more frequently even when overall condition severity is similar. This suggests age impacts symptom reporting beyond general mental health dimensions.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Debate exists regarding whether older adults have a lower risk of depressive disorders or if symptom reporting is artificially low.
- This study investigates the impact of age on anxiety and depression, and its direct effect on individual symptom self-reporting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of age on anxiety and depression.
- To examine if age directly influences self-report of individual symptoms, independent of underlying anxiety and depression dimensions.
Main Methods:
- Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze item structure and associations with age and demographics.
- A sample of 2622 participants (18-79 years) from Canberra, Australia, completed anxiety and depression scales.
- Instruments included Goldberg's anxiety and depression scales (1988) and Bedford's Personal Disturbance Scale (1976).
Main Results:
- Both scales demonstrated a satisfactory two-factor model fit.
- Age showed a negative correlation with depression.
- Direct age effects were observed on specific depression and anxiety items, indicating differential endorsement probabilities in older adults, even with equal depression levels. These included physical symptoms (e.g., feeling slowed down) and psychological aspects (e.g., hopelessness).
Conclusions:
- The qualitative nature of depression and anxiety may differ between younger and older individuals.
- Depression in older adults may present with increased somatic symptoms related to physical changes.
- Increased endorsement of items reflecting narrowed long-term opportunities may characterize depression in older populations.