Life Events Over the Life Cycle and Depression in Late Life

Depression in late life is a severe problem. Depressive symptoms constitute a major risk factor for suicidal behavior for the elderly. Researchers have focused primarily on the effects of negative life events on adult depression, finding that loss-experiences (e.g., physical, social and psychological losses) and abuse are important risk factors for depression (Allers, Benjack, & Allers, 1992; Anderson, Yasenik, & Ross, 1993; Bifulco, Brown, & Adler, 1991; Moeller, Bachmann, & Moeller, 1993; Paykel, 1994; Weismann-Wind, & Silvern, 1994). However, looking at the available literature, elderly depression has received little attention. In order to be able to prevent elderly depression and (attempted) suicide and to make effective prevention and intervention programs, it is important to identify risk factors for elderly depression. Studies concerning elderly depression primarily investigated the association between recent life events and depression in late life. Recent negative life events (e.g., bereavement, chronic social difficulties, personal physical illness and moving during the past year) appear to be correlated with depression in late life (for a review, see Katona, 1993). The influence of early negative life events and how they may pervade in old age has not yet been extensively studied. The aim of the present study was to examine which life events occurring at different stages in life are related to depression in late life. This study is a pilot-study in preparation of a larger study. Therefore, the results presented here are to be considered preliminary.