Depression as an explanation for decreased subjective time in the elderly

This study focuses on the occurrence of depression in the elderly as an explanation for conflicting findings regarding subjective time in this age group. Subjects were volunteers from a congregate meal program in central Pennsylvania. The sample (N = 68) was restricted to women over 65 years of age. Depression was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. Subjective time was determined by having the subject give a production estimate of an interval of 40 seconds. Analysis of data, which showed a correlation coefficient of 0.35 (p less than .002) between depression and subjective time, supports the hypothesis that depression is related to decreased subjective time. The finding provides a tentative explanation for deviations from the demonstrated trend toward increased subjective time with aging.