title: [Age and gender differences as factors related to depressive symptoms among community-dwelling middle-aged and elderly people].
abstract: This study was conducted to identify factors associated with depressive symptoms among males and females in two age groups; the middle-aged (40-59 years) and elderly (60-79 years). Subjects were 2211 community-dwelling people (1115 males and 1096 females). Depressive symptoms were estimated by Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Marital status, self-rated health, activities of daily living, age awareness, locus of control, and social support were assessed using self-administered questionnaires and interviews. In all groups, poor subjective health and external locus of control showed significant positive association with depressive symptoms. Age awareness was associated with depressive symptoms in female groups. Impairment of instrumental activities of daily living and lower social support were associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly groups. The findings suggested that there might be age and gender differences in the impact of factors associated with depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Gengo, Morioka-cho, Obu 474-8522.
authors.forename: Satomi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsuboi
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukukawa
authors.forename: Naoakira
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Niino
authors.forename: Fujiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimokata
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires