A longitudinal study of gender differences in depressive symptoms from age 50 to 80.

J C Barefoot, Erik Lykke Mortensen, M J Helms, K Avlund, M Schroll

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Abstract

The Obvious Depression Scale was administered to 739 community residents at ages 50, 60, and 80 years, with 151 present at all waves. Although selective attrition influenced the level of depressive symptoms in cross-sectional vs. longitudinal samples, both sets of analyses revealed higher scores in women than in men at ages 50 and 60, but not at age 80. Men showed increases in depressive symptoms from age 60 to 80, but women did not (interaction p < .002). This interaction was not present in somatic symptoms, which increased across time in both genders. Potential explanations include differential changes in social roles with aging.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPsychology and Aging
Volume16
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)342-5
Number of pages3
ISSN0882-7974
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Age Distribution; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Cognition; Cross-Sectional Studies; Denmark; Depression; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Prevalence; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Sex Distribution; Socioeconomic Factors

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