The effect of spousal mental and physical health on husbands' and wives' depressive symptoms, among older adults: longitudinal evidence from the Health and Retirement Survey.

TitleThe effect of spousal mental and physical health on husbands' and wives' depressive symptoms, among older adults: longitudinal evidence from the Health and Retirement Survey.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2004
AuthorsSiegel, MJ, Bradley, EH, Gallo, WT, Kasl, SV
JournalJ Aging Health
Volume16
Issue3
Pagination398-425
Date Published2004 Jun
ISSN Number0898-2643
Call Numberpubs_2004_Siegel_etal.pdf
KeywordsAged, Caregivers, depression, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Models, Theoretical, Spouses, United States
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of spousal depressive symptoms and physical health on respondents' depressive symptoms in a national sample of older married couples.

METHOD: We used data on 5,035 respondent husbands and wives from the 1992 and 1994 waves of the Health and Retirement Survey. Multivariate regression models were estimated to examine the impact of spousal depressive symptoms and physical health on respondents' depressive symptoms.

RESULTS: Adjusting for respondent mental and physical health and sociodemographic traits, having a spouse with more depressive symptoms was associated with significantly higher follow-up depressive symptoms in the respondent (p < .001). Controlling for spousal depressive symptoms, a decline in the spouses' physical health was associated with a significant reduction in respondent depressive symptoms (p < .05).

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that health care providers treating older adults should be sensitive to the possibility that spouses may be affected when clients suffer poor mental or physical health.

DOI10.1177/0898264304264208
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15155069?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Depressive Symptoms/Spouses/Health Physical

Endnote ID

12372

Alternate JournalJ Aging Health
Citation Key6924
PubMed ID15155069
Grant List00153 / / PHS HHS / United States