The British Journal of Psychiatry 174: 322-329 (1999)
© 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Cross-cultural comparison of depressive symptoms in Europe does not support stereotypes of ageing
JR Copeland, AT Beekman, ME Dewey, A Jordan, BA Lawlor, M Linden, A Lobo, H Magnusson, AH Mann, M Fichter, MJ Prince, P Saz, C Turrina and KC Wilson
Department of Psychiatry, University of Liverpool.
BACKGROUND: Stereotypes of older people suggest that they are depressed.
AIMS: To examine depression symptoms among people aged > or = 65 in the
general population and to ask the following questions. Are there high
proportions of depressive symptoms among otherwise well people? Do these
levels reflect the prevalence of depression? Do key symptoms vary with age
and do they confirm stereotypes? METHOD: Nine centres contributed data from
community-based random samples, using standardised methods (GMS-AGECAT
package). RESULTS: Proportions of depressive symptoms varied between
centres. Some often associated with ageing were rare. Many were more common
in women. Low-prevalence centres tended to have fewer symptoms among 'well'
people, but there were inconsistencies. Low levels of symptoms among the
well population of a centre did not necessarily predict lower levels in the
depressed. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the prevalence of depressive symptoms
occurred between centres, not always related to levels of illness. There
was no consistent relationship between proportions of symptoms in well
persons and cases for all centres. Few symptoms were present in > 60% of
the older population--stereotypes of old age were not upheld.
