Symptom profiles of late‐life anxiety and depression: The influence of migration, religion and loneliness

an article by Emma Curran, Michael Rosato, Janine Cooper and Gerard Leavey (Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Ulster University, Coleraine,, UK) and Christine A. Mc Garrigle (The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Ireland) published in Depression & Anxiety Volume 36 Issue 9 (September 2019)

Abstract

Objective

To examine

1. clinically relevant anxiety with comorbid depression in an older population, and the presentation of sub-threshold symptoms;
2. to assess anxiety and levels of comorbid depression associated with migration, religion, loneliness and long‐term illness.

Methods

Analysis of Wave 1 of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) (2009‐2011). Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to define indicative diagnoses of anxiety and depression. We then assessed associations between sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, past migration, religious practice, social network, loneliness and long‐term illness.

Results

For those with clinically relevant anxiety, LCA derived three classes of self‐reported depression: low, sub-threshold and high. Approximately 19% were co-morbid, and a further 37% reported sub-threshold depression. Compared to those with low/no symptoms of depression, those classed as co-morbid were more likely to be male, had lower education levels, had spent more time abroad, lower religious attendance, a limited social network, were lonelier and had a long‐term life‐limiting illness. Those with sub-threshold levels of depression reported a more restricted social network and more moderate levels of loneliness.

Conclusion

Findings support the actuality of co-morbidity of both disorders. Consequently, government health strategy on detecting and managing social engagement, loneliness, and psychological disorders in older people may require a more granulated approach.

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