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The impact of an unfavorable depression course on network size and loneliness in older people: a longitudinal study in the community
Author(s) -
Houtjes Wim,
Meijel Berno,
Ven Peter M.,
Deeg Dorly,
Tilburg Theo,
Beekman Aartjan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.4091
Subject(s) - loneliness , depression (economics) , longitudinal study , psychology , feeling , gerontology , epidemiology , social isolation , clinical psychology , social support , psychiatry , medicine , social psychology , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Objective This work aims to gain insight into the long‐term impact of depression course on social network size and perceived loneliness in older people living in the community. Methods Within a large representative sample of older people in the community (Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA)), participants with clinically relevant levels of depressive symptoms (scores >16 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) were followed up over a period of 13 years of the LASA study (five waves). General estimating equations were used to estimate the impact of depression course on network size and loneliness and the interaction with gender and age. Results An unfavorable course of depression was found to be associated with smaller network sizes and higher levels of loneliness over time, especially in men and older participants. Conclusions The findings of this study stress the importance of clinical attention to the negative consequences of chronicity in depressed older people. Clinicians should assess possible erosion of the social network over time and be aware of increased feelings of loneliness in this patient group. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.