Factors associated with incidence of depressiveness among the middle-aged and older Estonian population

Abstract

Objective: Relatively scant research among older Estonian population describes factors associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms. This study identifies factors associated with the incidence of depressiveness among middle-aged and older Estonians over 2- and 4-year periods. Method: In this cross-sectional analysis, logistic regression models are used to identify the factors associated with the incidence of depressiveness over 2- and 4-year periods. The data were drawn from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) 2011–2015 which included Estonian population aged 53 years and older in 2013. After excluding those younger than 53 years, not interviewed 2 years later, those with depressive symptoms at baseline in 2013, and missing values for depressiveness or other variables, our analytical sample comprised 2513 people. Results: Among those who were not depressive in 2013, 21.9% became depressive within 2 years; 16.1% of non-depressive individuals since 2011 became depressive by 2015. No age differences in incidence remained in adjusted models. Women have almost 50% higher odds of becoming depressive. A previous history of depressiveness and the presence of everyday activity limitations were important factors increasing the incidence of depression. Discussion: Changes related to the individual’s unique ageing experience are important explanatory factors related to the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms, rather than age itself. To diminish the incidence of depressive symptoms among older Estonian population, public health interventions should attempt to address factors which complicate existing health problems and facilitate continued independence and community involvement, both of which contribute to overall satisfaction with life.

Involuntary Retirement and Depression Among Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies

“…Four longitudinal studies (9-11) involving 14,604 participants were included in the involuntary retirement and depression meta-analysis. Three studies (9,11) showed a significant association between involuntary retirement and depression; while the other one study (10) indicated no relation between them. The pooled RR of overall data was 1.31 (95% CI, 1.13-1.51; P = 0) for the unexpectedly retired vs. employed, with low heterogeneity (I 2 = 37.7 %, P heterogeneity = 0.186) (Figure 2).…”

“…One article included participant already taking antidepressants or having hospital treatment for depression, one article included men living with HIV, two articles using the same population, nine cross-sectional designed articles, and 129 articles without multivariate-adjusted RRs/ORs concerning the relation between involuntary retirement and depression were excluded. Thus, 10 longitudinal studies from eight articles (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) were included in the analysis (Table 1).…”

“…Two studies (7, 9) included only women, three studies (5,7,9) included only men, and five studies (6,8,(10)(11)(12) included men and women. With regard to the study region, four studies (5,6,8,10) was conducted in Europe, three (7,11) in America, and three (9,12) in Asia. One study (5) measured employment status by record linkage, 6), respectively.…”

“…Involuntary retirement was defined as being forced to retire before the regular retirement age due to business closure, layoff, family problems, or health problems (4). During the past couple of decades, studies did not reach a consensus on the relationship between involuntary retirement and depression (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). For the effect of involuntary retirement on depression incidence, a longitudinal cohort study reported that unemployed was not associated with the risk of depressive symptoms (10).…”

“…During the past couple of decades, studies did not reach a consensus on the relationship between involuntary retirement and depression (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). For the effect of involuntary retirement on depression incidence, a longitudinal cohort study reported that unemployed was not associated with the risk of depressive symptoms (10). However, another longitudinal study showed involuntary retirement increased the risk of depressive symptoms (9).…”