Depressive symptom experiences among older women: a comparison of alternative measurement approaches.
Age differences in depressive symptom experiences were investigated in a community sample of women (N = 287, ages 55-95 years). The purpose of the analysis was to compare the age-depression relation using 3 different measurement approaches: (a) a standard screening scale, (b) a clinical diagnostic, and (c) a latent variable measurement approach. The analysis, which uses structural equation modeling procedures, extends earlier confirmatory factor analyses of the Symptom Checklist-90--Revised Depression and Additional Symptoms scales conducted by Newmann, Engel, & Jensen (1990, 1991a, 1991b). Findings show that each measurement approach leads to different conclusions about the age-depression relation, with only the latent variable measurement showing a significant increase in depressive symptoms with advancing age. Implications of these findings for future research on aging depression are discussed.
Newmann
Joy Perkins
JP
U Wisconsin.
Klein
Marjorie
M
Jensen
Julie E
JE
Essex
Marilyn J
MJ
D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology