Depression and the Onset of Chronic Illness in Older Adults: A 12-Year Prospective Study
The relationship between depression and development of chronic illness among older adults is not well understood. This study uses data from the Health and Retirement Study to evaluate the relationship between depression at baseline and new onset of chronic illnesses including cancer, heart problems, arthritis, and diabetes. Analysis controlling for demographics (age, gender, race, education), health risk indicators (BMI and smoking), functional limitations (gross motor index, health limitations for work), and income show that working-age older people (ages 50-62) with depression at baseline are at significantly higher risk to develop diabetes, heart problems, and arthritis during the 12-year follow-up. No significant association was found between depression and cancer. Prevention efforts aimed at chronic illnesses among the elderly should recognize the mind-body interaction and focus on preventing or alleviating depression.
ABSTRACT Now that the 21st century is underway, society is changing more rapidly than ever. People of all ages are facing new kinds of psychological and interpersonal issues. They are living longer and pioneering new kinds of family patterns and relationships. Given this, then, how can intergenerational programs and relationships both adapt to these new contexts and serve to help people better meet these new societal demands and changes? This article extends, deepens and elaborates upon earlier efforts by describing new societal trends that affect people in the life span, selecting some relevant concepts, exploring them, and suggesting how they might enhance our understanding. Given that this is the postmodern age in which there are questions rather than answers, the discussion of each concept ends with questions for future theory construction.