Depressive symptoms in the very old living alone: prevalence, incidence and risk factors
Abstract
Background: Living alone is one of many risk factors associated with depression. This project is nested within the ENABLE‐AGE project designed to explore the relationship between housing environment and health in the very old living alone in their own homes. Aim: Our aim is to describe the prevalence, incidence and associated risk factors of clinically significant depressive symptoms in this population with particular emphasis on the role of the home environment. Method: We conducted a one year follow up of 376 subjects aged between 80 and 90 years old. Data collected included variables concerned with housing, social circumstances, physical health and psychological well being. Results: A prevalence rate of 21% and an annual incidence of 12.4% (Geriatric Depression Score of five or more) were found. Risk factors associated with prevalence depression include not living close to friends and family ((OR 2.540, CI; 1.442, 4.466), poor satisfaction with living accommodation (OR; 0.840, CI; 0.735, 0.961) and poor satisfaction with finances (OR; 0.841, CI; 0.735, 0.961). Subsequent development of clinically significant depressive symptoms was associated with base line increased scores in depression (OR; 1.68, CI; 1.206, 2.341). Conclusions: These results are consistent with findings in the general population of similar age with the exception of considerably higher prevalence and incidence rates. However, we were unable to demonstrate that housing related variables were significant risk factors in terms of incidence cases. Clinical Implications: Older people living alone are particularly vulnerable to depression and may benefit from targeted screening and development of appropriate care pathways. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Depression is common in older people, particularly those with chronic physical illness, but tends to be under-diagnosed and inadequately managed.
“Depression is common in older people, particularly those with chronic physical illness, but tends to be under-diagnosed and inadequately managed [18,19].”
From Development and evaluation of culturally sensitive psychosocial interventions for under-served people in primary care (2014) · cites this paper as [19]
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- Authors
- Wilson, K., Mottram, P., & Sixsmith, A.
- Affiliations
- St Catherine's Health Centre (GB)
- University of Liverpool (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Wilson, Kenneth
- Venue
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-10-17
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 361-366
- ISSN
- 0885-6230 (ISSN-L)
- 1099-1166
- OpenAlex
- W2166570473
- Cited by
- 60
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 0.67
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- European Commission
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Health and Well-being Studies
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Keywords
- depressive symptoms, living alone, oldest old, older adults, residential environment, family environment, risk factors, prevalence, incidence, social isolation, housing satisfaction, financial satisfaction, Geriatric Depression Scale
- MeSH terms
- Activities of Daily Living, Aged, 80 and over, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depression, England, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Status Schedule, Personal Satisfaction, Personality Assessment, Quality of Life, Risk Factors, Social Environment, Socialization, Geriatric Assessment, Incidence, Personal Autonomy
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