Characteristics of depressive symptoms in elderly urban and rural African Americans

Despite considerable progress in the epidemiology of late life depression, little data have been documented in the scientific literature on depressive symptoms among elderly African Americans. The present investigation identifies characteristic symptoms of depression in African American community-resident elders.

Ninety-six African American men and women aged 60 years and older, with equal representation from urban and rural counties in west Tennessee, composed the sample. The sample was stratified in each of the two counties into three age categories; 60-69, 70-79, and 80 and older. Data from the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale were compared with the association of medical illness, medication use, social network, level of physical function in activities of daily living, and demographic characteristics.

Residents screening positive for the presence of depressive symptoms showed an increased report of hypertension (p < .036), arteriosclerosis (p < .035), and circulatory problems (p < .008). There was an increased report of symptoms of depression among those who had six or more different chronic illnesses (p < .001) and among those who reported using four or more different prescription medications in the past month for chronic illnesses (p < .015). Regression analyses of data indicated that medical illness (p < .001) and social network (p < .041) were the most important predictors of depressive symptoms among residents.

Considering the projected increase of African Americans reaching age 60, and because depressive illness is an important public heath concern, early identification of salient risk factors for depression is critical in instituting early intervention programs for the ethnic minority elderly population.