CROSS-NATIONAL PREVALENCE OF RISK OF DEPRESSION AMONG OLDER ADULTS: ARE THERE GENDER AND AGE DIFFERENCES?
2024

Cross-National Prevalence of Depression Risk Among Older Adults

Sample size: 248559 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Iriarte Antonia Diaz-Valdes, Medina Jose

Primary Institution: Universidad Mayor, Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile

Hypothesis

This study aims to examine cross-national gender gaps in the prevalence of depression risk from 2000 to 2020, controlling for age and cohort effects.

Conclusion

The study found that the average predicted probability of depression was higher in females than in males, with a consistent gender gap over time.

Supporting Evidence

  • The average predicted probability of depression was 24.01% for males and 35.70% for females.
  • There was a consistent gender gap of 11.69 percentage points in depression probability.
  • Both males and females exhibited an upward trend in depression probability during the examined period.

Takeaway

This study looked at how many older men and women might be depressed in different countries, finding that more women are affected than men.

Methodology

A random-effects model with robust standard errors was used to analyze depression cases and predict probabilities.

Limitations

The study may not account for all contextual differences across countries.

Participant Demographics

Individuals aged 50 and older from 35 countries.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1159

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