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Prevalence of Depression in Older Adults and the Potential Protective Role of Volunteering: Findings From the LongROAD Study.

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Title: Prevalence of Depression in Older Adults and the Potential Protective Role of Volunteering: Findings From the LongROAD Study.
Authors: Xi, Yitao, Mielenz, Thelma J., Andrews, Howard F., Hill, Linda L., Strogatz, David, DiGuiseppi, Carolyn, Betz, Marian E., Jones, Vanya, Eby, David W., Molnar, Lisa J., Lang, Barbara H., Li, Guohua
Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Apr2025, Vol. 73 Issue 4, p1041-1048. 8p.
Subjects: Prevention of mental depression, Independent living, Research funding, Health status indicators, Socioeconomic factors, Descriptive statistics, Research, Marital status, Mental depression, Educational attainment, Old age
Geographic Terms: United States
Abstract: Background: As the US population continues to age, depression and other mental health issues have become a significant challenge for healthy aging. Few studies, however, have examined the prevalence of depression in community‐dwelling older adults in the United States. Methods: Baseline data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers study were analyzed to examine the prevalence and correlates of depression in a multisite sample of community‐dwelling adults aged 65–79 years who were enrolled and assessed between July 2015 and March 2017. The Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression scale was used to determine the depression status. Results: Of the 2990 study participants, 186 (6.2%) had depression at the time of assessment. Elevated prevalence of depression was found in those who were 65–69 years of age (7.9%); were women (7.2%); were not married (8.1%); had attained an education of high school or less (8.3%); or had annual household incomes less than $50,000 (10.7%). Older adults with a positive history of depression or chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus and anxiety) had a significantly higher prevalence of depression whereas those engaged in volunteering activities had a significantly lower prevalence of depression. With adjustment for demographic characteristics and comorbidities, volunteering was associated with a 43% reduction in the odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio: 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.81). Conclusions: The point prevalence of depression in this multisite sample of community‐dwelling older adults in the United States was 6.2%, which varied significantly with demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions. Engagement in volunteering activities might help older adults to reduce their risk of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Description
Abstract:Background: As the US population continues to age, depression and other mental health issues have become a significant challenge for healthy aging. Few studies, however, have examined the prevalence of depression in community‐dwelling older adults in the United States. Methods: Baseline data from the Longitudinal Research on Aging Drivers study were analyzed to examine the prevalence and correlates of depression in a multisite sample of community‐dwelling adults aged 65–79 years who were enrolled and assessed between July 2015 and March 2017. The Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) depression scale was used to determine the depression status. Results: Of the 2990 study participants, 186 (6.2%) had depression at the time of assessment. Elevated prevalence of depression was found in those who were 65–69 years of age (7.9%); were women (7.2%); were not married (8.1%); had attained an education of high school or less (8.3%); or had annual household incomes less than $50,000 (10.7%). Older adults with a positive history of depression or chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus and anxiety) had a significantly higher prevalence of depression whereas those engaged in volunteering activities had a significantly lower prevalence of depression. With adjustment for demographic characteristics and comorbidities, volunteering was associated with a 43% reduction in the odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio: 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.81). Conclusions: The point prevalence of depression in this multisite sample of community‐dwelling older adults in the United States was 6.2%, which varied significantly with demographic characteristics and comorbid conditions. Engagement in volunteering activities might help older adults to reduce their risk of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00028614
DOI:10.1111/jgs.19349