This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

Neighborhood poverty increases depression in elderly

Neighborhood poverty and homicide were associated with depression in older adults, according to recent findings.

“Given the shift towards an aging population and the growing rates of depression among older adults, understanding the factors that contribute to depression is critical,” Spruha Joshi, a doctoral student at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, said in a press release.

To assess associations between neighborhood poverty and depression in older adults, researchers analyzed data from the New York City Neighborhood and Mental Health in the Elderly Study II, a three-wave study of 3,497 adults aged 65 to 75 years at baseline.

Neighborhood poverty (RR = 1.2; 95% CI, 1.05-1.36) and homicide (RR = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.17) were associated with depressive symptoms at follow-ups.

Homicide accounted for 30% of the effect neighborhood poverty had on depressive symptoms.

“Violence in the pathway between poverty and depression is a critical finding. Now we can look at neighborhoods that are not only poor but also have high levels of violence and possibly provide support for older adults in the area,” Joshi said in the release. “There are still many pathways through which poor neighborhoods can shape mental health that we don’t yet understand. Identifying these pathways will be critical if we want to identify suitable ways to promote mental health in local residents.” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: Please see the study for a full list of relevant financial disclosures.