Authors: Arai, A.¹; Ishida, K.²; Tomimori, M.²; Katsumata, Y.²; Grove, J. S.³; Tamashiro, H.²

Source: Aging and Mental Health, Volume 11, Number 5, September 2007 , pp. 547-555(9)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

In the community-based cross-sectional study, we investigated patterns of lifestyle activities among older people and examined the association between specific types of lifestyle activity and depressed mood status. The participants were 656 men and women aged 65 or older in 2004 who lived in a rural town in Japan, neither institutionalized nor hospitalized and who did not have symptoms of dementia. We found that less interaction with neighbors, society and friends was highly associated with depressed mood for men. Additionally, although they were physically active in gardening/farming, it did not necessarily mean that they were mentally healthy if they did not have close ties with friends, family and children/grandchildren. For women, it seemed important to engage in several types of activities relating to society, leisure and children/grandchildren to be in less depressed mood. Even if they were socially inactive, if they had frequent contact with family and children/grandchildren or going out for pleasure they were less likely to be depressed. Distinguishing gender differences in lifestyle activity patterns and the association of activities with depressed mood will help to guide the development of depression intervention programs.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13607860601086553

Affiliations: 1: Division of Preventive Medicine, Social Medicine Cluster, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan,Department of Gerontological Policy, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Japan 2: Division of Preventive Medicine, Social Medicine Cluster, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan 3: Department of Public Health Sciences and Epidemiology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA

Publication date: 2007-09-01

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