title: The impact of an unfavorable depression course on network size and loneliness in older people: a longitudinal study in the community.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This work aims to gain insight into the long-term impact of depression course on social network size and perceived loneliness in older people living in the community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within a large representative sample of older people in the community (Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA)), participants with clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms (scores >16 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) were followed up over a period of 13 years of the LASA study (five waves). General estimating equations were used to estimate the impact of depression course on network size and loneliness and the interaction with gender and age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An unfavorable course of depression was found to be associated with smaller network sizes and higher levels of loneliness over time, especially in men and older participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study stress the importance of clinical attention to the negative consequences of chronicity in depressed older people. Clinicians should assess possible erosion of the social network over time and be aware of increased feelings of loneliness in this patient group.
authors.affiliation: GGZ-VS, Academy for Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Inholland University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Houtjes
authors.forename: Berno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Meijel
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: van de Ven
authors.forename: Dorly
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deeg
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van Tilburg
authors.forename: Aartjan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beekman
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support
keywords: depression course; loneliness; longitudinal perspective; network size; older people