title: Collective efficacy and depressive symptoms in Brazilian elderly.
abstract: The objective was to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and collective efficacy among the elderly in a municipality in southern Brazil. A cross-sectional population-based design was carried out. Structured interviews were held at the homes of 1007 elderly individuals. The presence of depressive symptoms was measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale, exposures were a standard 8-item collective efficacy scale and a single item about elderly participation in groups. Data were analyzed using Poisson regression to obtain the crude and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs). The sample consisted mostly of female (63%), white (96%) and married (64%) elderly individuals. The mean age, income and educational level were, respectively: 73 years (SD=4), R$ 1836 (SD=2170) and 5 years of education (SD=4). After controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral and health-related variables, participants who reported low collective efficacy at the places where they lived presented a prevalence of depressive symptoms that was twice as high as the prevalence among those who reported high collective efficacy. In the same way, elderly individuals who did not participate in groups presented prevalence of the outcome around 64% higher than among those who took part in one or more groups. The study suggests that creation of and participation in social networks and community groups may be an important strategy for promoting mental health among the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Louise Bertoldo
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Quatrin
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosangela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Galli
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Emilio Hideyuki
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Moriguchi
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil; Superintendência Médico Assistencial, Hospital Mãe de Deus, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio Leite
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Gastal
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: mppattussi@unisinos.br.
authors.forename: Marcos Pascoal
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pattussi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept; D066270:Social Capital; D012931:Social Environment; D058992:Social Participation
keywords: Aging; Collective efficacy; Depression; Social capital; Social medicine; Social participation