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Depression in later life: cross-sequential patterns and possible determinants
Klaus Rothermund1, Jochen Brandtstädter
1Department of Psychology, University of Trier, Germany. rothermu@uni-trier.de
Psychology and Aging
|March 19, 2003
Summary
Depressive tendencies remain stable until age 70, then increase. Factors like time perspective and flexibility influence these changes in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Conflicting research exists on the relationship between aging and depression.
- Some theories emphasize resilience, while others suggest increased depression incidence in later life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in depressive tendencies.
- To explore factors influencing these changes in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Combined cross-sectional and 8-year longitudinal study.
- Assessed depressive tendencies in 690 participants aged 54-77 years.
- Examined health, social, economic, coping, and future perspective variables.
Main Results:
- Identified two phases: stability until ~70 years, followed by increased depressive tendencies.
- Time perspective differences and accommodative flexibility predicted changes in depression.
- These factors mediated age effects on depressive tendencies.
Conclusions:
- Depressive tendencies show a distinct developmental pattern in later life.
- Cognitive and adaptive factors play a crucial role in mediating the relationship between aging and depression.