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Anxiety, anger, and depression in elderly women
E M Bleiker1, H M van der Ploeg, J Mook
1Department of Medical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Psychological Reports
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Epidemiological data reveal low correlations between age and affect (anxiety, anger, depression) in older women. Mean affect scores were similar across age groups, with slight trends for anger and depression.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited epidemiological data exist on affect, including anxiety, anger, and depression, in elderly populations.
- Aging populations necessitate critical epidemiological studies to understand age-related psychological changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between chronological age and affect (anxiety, anger, depression) in older women.
- To provide epidemiological insights into the psychological well-being of aging individuals.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 4,302 women aged 43–89 years.
- Data collected from participants in a breast cancer screening program.
- Analysis of correlations between age and self-reported anxiety, anger, and depression scores.
Main Results:
- Low correlations were observed between age and anxiety (-.02), anger (-.05), and depression (.05).
- Mean scores for anxiety, anger, and depression were comparable across different age groups.
- A slight age-related trend showed increasing mean depression scores with advancing age, linked to somatic-depression reporting.
Conclusions:
- Chronological age shows a minimal association with anxiety, anger, and depression levels in women over 43.
- While overall affect remains stable, a subtle increase in depression symptoms with age may be associated with somatic complaints.