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Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 18, No. 4, 604-628 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264306291017

Social Engagement and Depressive Symptoms in Late Life

Longitudinal Findings

Thomas A. Glass

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore

Carlos F. Mendes De Leon

Rush-Presbyterian–St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago

Shari S. Bassuk

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Lisa F. Berkman

Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts

Objectives: The purpose is to investigate whether social engagement protects against depressive symptoms in older adults. Method: Three waves of data from a representative cohort study of community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and above from the New Haven Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly are examined using random effects models. Results: Social engagement (an index combining social and productive activity) is associated with lower CES-D scores after adjustment for age, sex, time, education, marital status, health and functional status, and fitness activities. This association is generally constant with time, suggesting a cross-sectional association. In addition, social engagement is associated with change in depressive symptoms, but only among those with CES-D scores below 16 at baseline. Discussion: Social engagement is independently associated with depressive symptoms cross-sectionally. A longitudinal association is seen only among those not depressed at baseline.

Key Words: aged • depression • social activities • social support


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