Psychological distress and depression in urbanising elderly black persons

The findings of a comparative community survey of the socioeconomic, cultural and psychiatric state of elderly black persons in a newly settled township (Khayelitsha--170 persons) and a long established one (Langa--195 persons) revealed marked differences. Symptoms of psychological distress, depression and limitation of daily activities were generally more marked in the former and strikingly so among women: 66% had symptoms warranting further investigation and 44% would have been treated for a depressive disorder if seen by a psychiatrist. Extreme poverty existed in both townships but the Khayelitsha subjects were less well educated, their accommodation was poorer, and fewer had old-age pensions. Elderly black women in newly settled townships have therefore been identified as having high priority for psychiatric and social services.