Quality of accommodation and risk of depression in later life: an analysis of prospective data from the Gospel Oak Project.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between observer-rated quality of internal accommodation and risk of onset of depression.


METHODS
A secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional survey of residents aged 65 or over in a north London electoral ward who were followed up after a one-year interval.


METHODS
Pervasive depression (SHORT-CARE) was assessed at both interviews. Quality of accommodation (on a five-point scale) was assessed by a single interviewer in a random sample at baseline. Potential confounding factors which were considered included age, sex, social class, level of handicap, level of social support, baseline sub-case depressive symptoms, cognitive function, income, accommodation tenure and area-level housing quality.


RESULTS
In participants without depression at baseline (n=131), worse accommodation was associated with depression after one year (odds ratio (OR) between three accommodation groups 3.3, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.5-7.8). Adjustment for the potential confounding factors made little difference (adjusted OR 3.3). The association was principally in people cohabiting (OR 12.4) rather than living alone (OR 1.1).


CONCLUSIONS
An observer's impression of accommodation quality was a strong and independent predictor of depression in this sample. The stronger association in people who were cohabiting may reflect increased exposure to the internal environment.
Stewart
Robert
R
Section of Epidemiology, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. r.stewart@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Prince
Martin
M
Harwood
Rowan
R
Whitley
Robert
R
Mann
Anthony
A
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors