Socio-cultural factors in late onset depression

An epidemiological survey of subjects aged over 50 in a sub urban area of India was carried out. 406 subjects aged over 50were examined by making house visits. 13 were diagnosed as suffering from organic psychoses, 3 from schioephrenia, 98 from depression and 28 from other functional disorder. Depression was the commonest diagnosis made. 24.1% of the subjects aged over 50 in the community were found to suffer from depression. Female sex, low social class, widowed state, unemployed condition, low educational level, nuclear family, living alone and high incidence of physical illness was found associated with depression. The significance of these factors, Hindu philosophy and Indian family system is discussed.