Relationship of depression to physical and psychologic complaints in the widowed elderly

Coping with depression has always been a central theme in the life of the elderly, and many efforts have been made to develop a valid form of assessment. This article shows that an analysis of compliance may usefully supplement the usual instruments for measuring depression. The study group consisted of 10 widows and 8 widowers (age range, 69-74 years). They were tested by the Zung Depression Scale, particularly for physical and psychologic complaints. The pattern and correlates of these complaints are discussed in relation to depression and sex. The data indicate a relationship between compliance and the severity of depression, and also between sex and the expression of distress feelings.