CHARACTERISTICS OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN ELDERLY URBAN AND RURAL AFRICAN-AMERICANS

Background. Despite considerable progress in the epidemiology of late life depression, little data have been documented in the scientific li terature on depressive symptoms among elderly African Americans. The p resent investigation identifies characteristic symptoms of depression in African American community-resident elders. Method. Ninety-six Afri can American men and women aged 60 years and older, with equal represe ntation from urban and rural counties in west Tennessee, composed the sample. The sample was stratified in each of the two counties into thr ee age categories; 60-69, 70-79, and 80 and older. Data from the Cente r for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale were compared with the association of medical illness, medication use, social network, level of physical function in activities of daily living, and demographic ch aracteristics. Results. Residents screening positive for the presence of depressive symptoms showed an increased report of hypertension (p < .036), arteriosclerosis (p < .035), and circulatory problems (p < .00 8). There was an increased report of symptoms of depression among thos e who had six or more different chronic illnesses (p < .001) and among those who reported using four or more different prescription medicati ons in the past month for chronic illnesses (p < .015). Regression ana lyses of data indicated that medical illness (p < .001) and social net work (p < .041) were the most important predictors of depressive sympt oms among residents. Conclusions. Considering the projected increase o f African Americans reaching age 60, and because depressive illness is an important public heath concern, early identification of salient ri sk factors for depression is critical in instituting early interventio n programs for the ethnic minority elderly population.