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Depressive symptom patterns among older women.
J P Newmann1, R J Engel, J Jensen
1School of Social Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Psychology and Aging
|March 1, 1990
Summary
This study found two distinct depressive syndromes and four distress forms in older women, impacting symptom patterns. These findings offer insights into aging and depression research.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Depressive symptom patterns in elderly individuals require nuanced understanding.
- Existing clinical formulations may not fully capture the complexity of depression in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the underlying structure of depressive symptom patterns in older women.
- To test measurement hypotheses related to depressive syndromes in aging populations.
Main Methods:
- Community sample of 344 women aged 51-92.
- Utilized the SCL-90-R Depression and Additional Symptoms Scales.
- Employed confirmatory factor analysis to examine symptom patterns.
Main Results:
- Supported the hypothesis of two distinct depressive syndromes.
- Identified four additional, more delimited forms of distress.
- These structures underlie observed symptom-reporting patterns in the sample.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a complex structure of depression in older women.
- Implications for future research on the relationship between aging and depression are significant.
- Highlights the need for tailored approaches to understanding geriatric depression.