Quality of accommodation and risk of depression in later life: An analysis of prospective data from the Gospel Oak Project

✍ Scribed by Robert Stewart; Martin Prince; Rowan Harwood; Robert Whitley; Anthony Mann

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 78 KB
• Volume: 17
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.749

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the association between observer‐rated quality of internal accommodation and risk of onset of depression.

Design

A secondary analysis of data from a cross‐sectional survey of residents aged 65 or over in a north London electoral ward who were followed up after a one‐year interval.

Method

Pervasive depression (SHORT‐CARE) was assessed at both interviews. Quality of accommodation (on a five‐point scale) was assessed by a single interviewer in a random sample at baseline. Potential confounding factors which were considered included age, sex, social class, level of handicap, level of social support, baseline sub‐case depressive symptoms, cognitive function, income, accommodation tenure and area‐level housing quality.

Results

In participants without depression at baseline (n=131), worse accommodation was associated with depression after one year (odds ratio (OR) between three accommodation groups 3.3, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.5–7.8). Adjustment for the potential confounding factors made little difference (adjusted OR 3.3). The association was principally in people cohabiting (OR 12.4) rather than living alone (OR 1.1).

Conclusions

An observer's impression of accommodation quality was a strong and independent predictor of depression in this sample. The stronger association in people who were cohabiting may reflect increased exposure to the internal environment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.