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Depression and old age identification.

S K Baum, R L Boxley

    Journal of Clinical Psychology
    |July 1, 1983
    PubMed
    Summary

    Feeling "older" is linked to higher depression and poorer health in Los Angeles elders, regardless of actual age. Personal meaning is also a key factor in depression among older adults.

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    Area of Science:

    • Gerontology
    • Psychology
    • Public Health

    Background:

    • Psychological well-being in elderly populations is a critical area of research.
    • The subjective experience of aging, or feeling "old," may significantly impact mental health outcomes.
    • Depression is a prevalent concern among older adults, affecting overall health and quality of life.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the empirical relationship between subjective feelings of aging and psychological depression in Los Angeles elderly.
    • To explore how feeling "old" correlates with health status and well-being in older adults.
    • To identify key correlates of depression in this demographic.

    Main Methods:

    • A sample of 308 Los Angeles elderly individuals (mean age 75.5 years) was recruited from diverse settings.
    • Participants completed the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) and an age identification item, alongside other well-being measures.
    • Multivariate level analysis was employed to examine relationships between variables.

    Main Results:

    • Individuals who felt "older" reported significantly higher levels of depression compared to those who felt "younger."
    • Feeling "older" was also associated with poorer self-reported health, irrespective of chronological age.
    • Personal meaning emerged as a significant correlate of depression in multivariate analyses.

    Conclusions:

    • Subjective age identity is a crucial factor in the mental health of the elderly, independent of actual age.
    • Interventions aimed at enhancing personal meaning may be beneficial in addressing depression among older adults.
    • Clinical approaches should consider the psychological experience of aging when treating depression in elderly patients.

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