Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
Social engagement and depressive symptoms in late life: longitudinal findings
Thomas A Glass1, Carlos F Mendes De Leon, Shari S Bassuk
1Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. tglass@jhsph.edu
Objective:
The purpose is to investigate whether social engagement protects against depressive symptoms in older adults.
Method:
Three waves of data from a representative cohort study of community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and above from the New Haven Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly are examined using random effects models.
Results:
Social engagement (an index combining social and productive activity) is associated with lower CES-D scores after adjustment for age, sex, time, education, marital status, health and functional status, and fitness activities. This association is generally constant with time, suggesting a cross-sectional association. In addition, social engagement is associated with change in depressive symptoms, but only among those with CES-D scores below 16 at baseline.
Discussion:
Social engagement is independently associated with depressive symptoms cross-sectionally. A longitudinal association is seen only among those not depressed at baseline.
Related Concept Videos
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Social Relationships and Well-Being
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Longitudinal Research
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia