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Gender differences in depressive symptoms among Spanish elderly
M V Zunzunegui1, F Béland, A Llácer
1Andalusian School of Public Health, Granada, Spain.
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
|May 30, 1998
Summary
Elderly women in Spain show higher rates of depression than men. While known risk factors contribute, they don't fully explain this gender gap in depressive symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Sociology
Background:
- Depressive symptomatology is a significant concern in elderly populations.
- Understanding gender differences in depression risk is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine gender disparities in depressive symptoms among older Spanish adults.
- To investigate if known depression risk factors affect genders differently in this population.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 'Envejecer en Leganés' study, screening 1116 community-dwelling elderly.
- Employed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) via at-home interviews.
- Assessed sociodemographic factors, health, daily living activities, social support, and locus of control.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of high depressive symptomatology was 19.6% in men and 46% in women (OR=3.4).
- Comorbidity, low emotional support, lack of confidant, reduced social activities, and external locus of control were associated with higher depression.
- No significant interactions were found between gender and known risk factors for depression.
Conclusions:
- Women exhibit significantly higher depressive symptomatology than men in this elderly Spanish cohort.
- Identified risk factors do not fully account for the observed gender difference in depression.
- Cultural gender roles may play a role in the persistent gender disparity in depression among older adults.