Is age associated with depressive symptomology? We examine the age-depression association using data from two national probability samples—the 1996 (N=1,408) and 1998 (N=1,409) General Social Survey (GSS). Both samples have an age range from 18 to 89 years. Problems with outliers among the oldest respondents and heteroscedasticity caution against using traditional ordinary least squares regression. Using iteratively weighted least squares regression techniques, we document almost identical U-shaped associations between age and depressive symptoms in both surveys. Depression is highest among the youngest and oldest age groups, and lowest among individuals in their 50s and 60s. Progressive adjustment for sex, race, education, social roles, the sense of control, and health account for all of the age-depression association in the 1996 survey, and more than half of it in the 1998 survey. In addition, we show that greater financial satisfaction, fewer time demands, greater religious involvement, a more positive worldview, and less religious doubt among older people conceal part of their otherwise higher depressive symptoms. Taken together, our study shows the way age-correlated personal and social variables contribute to age patterns in depressive emotionality in the U.S. population. Our theoretical and empirical perspectives contribute to the integration of ideas from the sociology of mental health, emotions, public health, and social gerontology.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the age patterns in depressive symptoms in two recent U.S. national probability samples. 2. List several age-correlate factors that explain or suppress the curvilinear association between age and depression. 3. Discuss the significance of using iteratively least squares regression instead of traditional ordinary least squares methods
Keywords: Aging, Depression
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.