PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND LOW SELF-ESTEEM IN A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY OF ELDERLY PEOPLE OVER 10 YEARS

We report a follow-up study of measures of depression and self-esteem in a sample of elderly people, 101 of whom were reinterviewed 10 years after initial assessment and 70 of these again 13 years later. The initial assessment included a wide range of social, psychological and medical measures. The results of logistic regression analysis showed the most significant predictors of the emergence of depressive symptoms and/or low self-esteem over this period of time to be receipt of help with household tasks, a negative attitude to ageing, and perceived inactivity. High self-esteem, and in particular greater mention of significant others (distinct from family members) as a source of self-esteem, was also associated with resilience against depression. Despite the close association between measures of depression and self-esteem, further investigation into the sources of self-esteem can provide evidence on the origins of depressive disorders.