Centre for Policy on Ageing



Depression and socio-economic risk factors — 7-year longitudinal population study
Author(s)	Vincent Lorant, Christophe Croux, Scott Weich
Journal title	British Journal of Psychiatry, vol 190, April 2007
Pages	pp 293-298
Source	http://bjp.rcpsych.org
Keywords	Depression ; Evaluation ; Poor elderly ; Longitudinal surveys ; Belgium.
Annotation	Low socio-economic status is associated with a higher prevalence of depression, but it is not yet known whether change in socio-economic status leads to a change in rates of depression. In a prospective study of the annual Belgian Household Panel Survey (1992-1999), depression was assessed using the Global Depression Scale. Socio-economic factors were assessed with regard to material standard of living, education, employment status and social relationships. A lowering of material standard of living between annual waves of the Survey was associated with increases in depressive symptoms and caseness of major depression. Ceasing to cohabit with a partner increased depressive symptoms and caseness, and improvement in circumstances reduced them. The negative effects were stronger than the positive ones. The study showed a clear relationship between worsening socio-economic circumstance and depression. (RH)
Accession Number	CPA-070510228 A
Classmark	ENR: 4C: F:W6: 3J: 76E
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