The prevalence and correlates of anxiety symptoms in older adults

An anxiety symptom scale was administered to a community sample of 713 males and 1338 females representative of persons aged 55 and older in Kentucky and quite similar to that of the US population in that age range. On the basis of a cutting point established previously, 17.1% of the males and 21.5% of the females were estimated to experience sufficient anxiety symptoms to place them at risk so as to require some form of intervention. In addition to gender and marital status differences, the study found a systematic but complex relationship between anxiety and age within this age range. Anxiety was inversely associated with socioeconomic status, education, and urban dwelling. Anxiety was inversely and highly correlated with physical health, and related to the presence of nine specific medical conditions and the need for and use of a number of medical services. The implications of the findings regarding the use of medical services for early diagnosis and treatment for mental health needs are discussed.