Religiosity as a protective or prognostic factor of depression in later life; results from a community survey in The Netherlands.
This study examines the impact of religiosity on the incidence and course of depressive syndromes in a community-based sample of elderly people in The Netherlands (n = 177). The course of depression was assessed in five waves of measurements, covering a period of 1 year. Religiosity was defined as salience of religion compared to the salience of other aspects of life. Religious salience was not associated with incidence of depression, but showed a relatively strong association with improvement of depression among the respondents who were depressed at the first measurement. This association was most prominent among subjects with poor physical health.
Braam
A W
AW
Department of Psychiatry, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Beekman
A T
AT
Deeg
D J
DJ
Smit
J H
JH
van Tilburg
W
W
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012803:Sick Role