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Anxiety and depression in adults in their eighties: do gender differences remain?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2011

Nancy A. Pachana ,
Deirdre McLaughlin ,
Janni Leung ,
Gerard Byrne  and
Annette Dobson
Nancy A. Pachana
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Psychology, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
Deirdre McLaughlin*
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Population Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia
Janni Leung
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Population Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia
Gerard Byrne
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Herston, Queensland, Australia
Annette Dobson
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, School of Population Health, Herston, Queensland, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Deirdre McLaughlin, The University of Queensland, School of Population Health, Herston, Queensland, 4006, Australia. Phone: +61 7 3365 5335, Fax: +61 7 3365 5540. Email: deirdre.mclaughlin@uq.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background: Women report higher rates of depression and anxiety than men; however, it is uncertain whether this gender difference continues into advanced old age.

Methods: 78 men and 111 women aged 82–87 years from the Men, Women and Ageing Project completed measures of anxiety (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ9), general psychological well-being (Mental Health subscale of SF-36), general health (general health item of SF-36) and cognitive status (Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status; TICS).

Results: Results revealed no significant gender differences on any of the psychological measures, after controlling for cognitive status, general health and education.

Conclusion: These results support the proposition that the female predominance in psychological distress diminishes with increasing age. The congruence between men and women may reflect changes in identity associated with age or the effect of decreased emotional valence of some social roles.

Keywords

mood disorderspsychogeriatricssex differences
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 145 - 150
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

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