title: Behavioral correlates of depressive symptoms in older unlike-sex twin pairs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines gender-specific behavioral correlates of depressive symptoms using a secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional, population-based sample of older unlike-sex twins.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unlike-sex twins aged 69-88 were identified through a national Swedish registry and sent a survey about health, including depressive symptoms (CES-D) and the frequency of engaging in physical, social and mental activities. A total of 605 complete twin pairs responded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depressive symptom scores were associated with frequency of engagement in physical and mental activities, but only in men. No statistically significant associations with depressive symptom scores for any of the three types of activities were found in women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that engaging in physical and mental activities may protect older men from developing depressive symptoms, but longitudinal data are needed to offer more conclusive findings on the role that physical, mental, and social activities play in the maintenance of psychological health in older men and women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, 268B Recreation Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. elavsky@psu.edu
authors.forename: Steriani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elavsky
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rovine
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Malmberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009043:Motor Activity; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D013548:Sweden; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000523:psychology*