Cel
Depression destroys the quality of life at all ages, predisposes to suicide and is the commonest mental illness of older age. It poses a major health problem and its victims make a heavy use of health and social services. In previous studies we have shown that the prevalence of depression in older persons varies between geographical areas. The reasons for this variation are unknown but may be related to the strength of social networks, adverse life events, religious, political and other cultural factors. The Concerted Action was funded to examine levels of depressive illness in older people in Europe and to examine some of the potential risk factors.
Each participating centre is undertaking a community based prevalence study of depression on a random sample of the population using the same standardized methods of assessment and diagnosis for which training and reliability assessments have been Provided. Some will undertake experience sampling methods with small groups.
The addition of two centres in Eastern Europe where suicide rates are reported to be high will allow for a closer examination of the influence of a long term, tightly controlled administration now in a period of rapid transition on depression levels in the old, compared to polotical systems in centres in Western Europe. One of the new centres will have a predominantly muslim population and the other will be Chrisitian, providing an important additional opportunity to examine the influences of different religious cultures as possible confounding variables, on depression levels.
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CSC - Cost-sharing contractsKoordynator
L69 3BX Liverpool
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