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Perception of unmet basic needs as a predictor of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Blazer, DG; Sachs-Ericsson, N; Hybels, CF
Published in: J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
February 2007

BACKGROUND: In previous studies we found that, among older adults (>64 years), perception that basic needs were not being met increased mortality risk and risk for functional decline. In this study, we determined, controlling for reported income and functional status, if perceived inadequate basic needs predicted depressive symptoms. METHODS: Repeated-measures analysis was used to determine, during three intervals in a 10-year longitudinal study (the Duke Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, n = 4162 at baseline), if perceived inadequate basic needs at the beginning of each interval predicted more depressive symptoms at the end of the interval. We included time invariant covariates known to be associated with depressive symptoms--age, sex, race, and education. We also included time-varying covariates at the beginning of the three intervals--income, cognitive status, functional status, depressive symptoms, and interval. RESULTS: In the repeated-measures controlled analyses, the perception of inadequate basic needs was a highly significant predictor of future depressive symptoms (p <.0001). Race, education, baseline depression, baseline function, interval, and income were also significant predictors of depression. The interaction between interval and depression was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The perception that one's basic needs are not being met predicted future depressive symptoms in a highly controlled analysis. These results suggest that perception of inadequate basic needs, even when income and other known correlates of depression are controlled, is a strong predictor of future depressive symptoms.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

ISSN

1079-5006

Publication Date

February 2007

Volume

62

Issue

2

Start / End Page

191 / 195

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Social Perception
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Prospective Studies
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Needs Assessment
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
 

Citation

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Blazer, D. G., Sachs-Ericsson, N., & Hybels, C. F. (2007). Perception of unmet basic needs as a predictor of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 62(2), 191–195. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/62.2.191
Blazer, Dan G., Natalie Sachs-Ericsson, and Celia F. Hybels. “Perception of unmet basic needs as a predictor of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 62, no. 2 (February 2007): 191–95. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/62.2.191.
Blazer DG, Sachs-Ericsson N, Hybels CF. Perception of unmet basic needs as a predictor of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007 Feb;62(2):191–5.
Blazer, Dan G., et al. “Perception of unmet basic needs as a predictor of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults.J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, vol. 62, no. 2, Feb. 2007, pp. 191–95. Pubmed, doi:10.1093/gerona/62.2.191.
Blazer DG, Sachs-Ericsson N, Hybels CF. Perception of unmet basic needs as a predictor of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007 Feb;62(2):191–195.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci

DOI

ISSN

1079-5006

Publication Date

February 2007

Volume

62

Issue

2

Start / End Page

191 / 195

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Social Perception
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Prospective Studies
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Needs Assessment
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies