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A longitudinal study of depression in old age I: outcome and relationship to social networks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Aideen Freyne ,
Sabina Fahy ,
Angela McAleer ,
Fiona Keogh  and
Margo Wrigley
Aideen Freyne
Affiliation:
St Vincents University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
Sabina Fahy
Affiliation:
St Fintans Hospital, Portlaois, Co Laois, Ireland
Angela McAleer
Affiliation:
Royal Victoria Hospital, 13 Craigleith Rd, Edinburgh EH4 2DN
Margo Wrigley
Affiliation:
North Dublin Old Age Psychiatry Service, Mater Hospital, 61 Eccles St, Dublin 1, Ireland
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Abstract

Objectives: To ascertain the relationship between social network type and depression over time.

Method: A longitudinal outcome study of depressed elderly patients attending an old age psychiatric service was carried out. Subjects were seen at baseline and regular intervals over two years.

Results: Depression severity at baseline and at follow-up times differed according to subjects' social network. Those with more socially integrated networks had the best outcome and those who had more dependent networks had a poorer outcome. There was a lot of movement between networks over time for subjects, with many moving towards more dependent networks.

Conclusions: When treating depression in the elderly it is important to consider the social network and milieu in which the patient resides. Treatments should include strategies encouraging the maintenance and formation of social integration.

Keywords

DepressionOutcomeSocial networksElderly
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 3 , September 2005 , pp. 87 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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