Depression and quality of life in old age: a closer look

Felix S Hussenoeder; Doreen Jentzsch; Herbert Matschinger; Andreas Hinz; Reinhold Kilian; Steffi G Riedel-Heller; Ines Conrad

doi:10.1007/s10433-020-00573-8

Depression and quality of life in old age: a closer look

Eur J Ageing. 2020 May 25;18(1):75-83. doi: 10.1007/s10433-020-00573-8. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Authors

Felix S Hussenoeder¹, Doreen Jentzsch¹, Herbert Matschinger¹, Andreas Hinz², Reinhold Kilian³, Steffi G Riedel-Heller¹, Ines Conrad¹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Ph.-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
² Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
³ Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II, Section of Health Economics and Mental Health Services Research, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.

Abstract

Depressive disorders are among the most widespread mental disorders in old age, with negative consequences for quality of life (QOL). Understanding QOL as a multidimensional construct, in this article we have a closer look on what specific aspects are affected by depression. We used a representative sample of the German population (n = 805) and one of individuals diagnosed with depression (n = 106) to compare QOL using the WHOQOL-BREF and the WHOQOL-OLD. Multivariate analysis showed that individuals diagnosed with depression exhibited lower QOL with regard to WHOQOL-BREF-dimensions physical health, psychological, social relationships and global QOL and with regard to WHOQOL-OLD-facets sensory abilities, past, present, and future activities and social participation. In addition, in the regression analysis, there were no significant differences between individuals with and without depression with regard to environment (WHOQOL-BREF), autonomy, death and dying, intimacy and overall (WHOQOL-OLD). Associations between depression and QOL in older age are selective in terms of which aspects of QOL are affected. From a methodological perspective, a multidimensional approach to QOL is recommended. From a clinical perspective, our research highlights those areas of QOL that are relevant for health professionals working with older people and that could be the focus of interventions.

Keywords: Depression; Older age; Quality of life; WHOQOL-BREF; WHOQOL-OLD.