RURAL-URBAN WOMENS EXPERIENCE OF SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION RELATED TO ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

This study compares rural and urban women's experiences of depressive symptoms. Cross-sectional data were used from 623 women 55 years of ag e and older who were part of a randomly selected community based sampl e. Theoretical perspectives included individual stress and community c ontext as explanatory factors contributing to differences in the propo rtion of women who identify having had the experience of symptoms of d epression. Results of the analysis using correlation and multiple regr ession supported the importance of perceptions of financial status. Co mmunity type and age were not related to the level of depressive sympt oms reported by the women who were interviewed.