Depressive symptoms and receipt of pensions: a cross-sectional analysis of the ELSI-Brazil study

Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2023 Dec 1;32(3):e2023294. doi: 10.1590/S2237-96222023000300017.en. eCollection 2023.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate association between depressive symptoms and receipt of retirement pensions or other pensions in the Brazilian population aged 50 years or older.

Method: This was a cross-sectional study with participants from the baseline (2015-2016) of the Longitudinal Study of the Health of Elderly Brazilians. Depressive symptoms were measured by the eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Prevalence ratios (PR) were obtained by Poisson regression.

Results: Among the total 8,469 participants, 33.9% (95%CI 32.8;34.9) reported depressive symptoms and 52.8% (95%CI 51.8;53.9) of the participants received a retirement or other pension. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was lower among participants receiving a retirement or other pension (PR = 0.79; 95%CI 0.73;0.86). Association remained significant after adjustments for sociodemographic and health indicators (PR = 0.84; 95%CI 0.76;0.92).

Conclusion: Participants who receive retirement or other pensions are less likely to report depressive symptoms.

Main results: Prevalence of depressive symptoms was 33.9% in the population studied and, after adjusted analysis, it remained statistically lower among participants who received retirement or other pensions.

Implications for services: Prevalence of depressive symptoms was higher in individuals who do not receive retirement or other pensions, which demands attention from health services in caring for this public in vulnerable situations regarding social security.

Perspectives: Carrying out longitudinal studies capable of assessing the temporality of association between receiving retirement or other pensions and the mental health of the elderly, thus contributing to better knowledge about the social determinants of mental health.

Objetivo: Investigar la asociación entre los síntomas depresivos y la percepción de jubilaciones o pensiones en la población brasileña de 50 años o más.

Método: Estudio transversal con participantes del Estudio Longitudinal de la Salud del Anciano Brasileño (2015-2016). Los síntomas depresivos se midieron mediante la escala The eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression. Las razones de prevalencia (RP) se obtuvieron por regresión de Poisson.

Resultados: La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos fue del 33,9% (IC95% 32,8;34,9) y 52,8% (IC95% 51,8;53,9) de los participantes recibían jubilación o pensión. La prevalencia de síntomas depresivos fue menor entre los participantes que recibían jubilación o pensión (PR = 0,79; IC95% 0,73;0,86). La asociación siguió siendo significativa tras ajustarse por indicadores sociodemográficos y de salud (PR = 0,84; IC95% 0,76;0,92).

Conclusión: Los participantes que reciben una jubilación o pensión tienen menos probabilidades de manifestar síntomas depresivos.

Objetivo: Investigar a associação entre recebimento de aposentadorias ou pensões e sintomas depressivos na população brasileira com 50 anos ou mais.

Método: Estudo transversal com participantes da linha de base (2015-2016) do Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde dos Idosos Brasileiros. Sintomas depressivos foram aferidos pela escala The eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression. Razões de prevalência (RP) foram obtidas pela regressão de Poisson.

Resultados: Dos 8.469 participantes, 33,9% (IC95% 32,8;34,9) relataram sintomas depressivos e 52,8% (IC95% 51,8;53,9) recebiam aposentadoria ou pensão. A prevalência de sintomas depressivos foi menor entre os participantes que recebiam aposentadoria ou pensão (RP = 0,79; IC95% 0,73;0,86). A associação permaneceu significativa após ajustes por indicadores sociodemográficos e de saúde (RP = 0,84; IC95% 0,76;0,92).

Conclusão: Participantes que recebiam aposentadoria ou pensão são menos propensos a relatarem sintomas depressivos.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Pensions*