Correlates of dysphoria in Canadian seniors: The Canadian study of health and aging

Objective: To examine the correlates of dysphoria in elderly Canadians. Method: Randomly sampled elderly underwent screening in 1992 (CSHA-1) and i n 1997 (ICSHA-2). Community-living subjects without dementia at CSHA-1 were re-interviewed at CSHA-2 (n = 5234). A score <53 on the mental health comp onent of the Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire (SF-36) was used to measu re dysphoria. Sociodemographic, functional social support, disease and life style correlates of dysphoria were examined. Results: 4.76% of men, and 8.59% of women were classified as dysphoric. The occurrence declined with age. In multivariate analyses, chronic pain, poor self-rated health, functional dependency and, in men only, being married, were significantly related to dysphoria. Perceived social support remained significant after controlling for sociodemographic, functional and disease variables. Conclusion: Dysphoria is common among the elderly, especially elderly women . Given the interrelationships and number of correlates of dysphoria, elder ly Canadians require broad programs promoting health and social support as well as functional and economic independence.