The relationship between older adults’ perceptions of ageing and depression: a systematic review
Abstract
Purpose
Perceptions of ageing towards the self and towards others can positively and negatively impact an older adult’s mental wellbeing. This paper aims to consolidate literature examining the relationship between perceptions of ageing and depression in older adults to inform both practice and policy for older adult mental health services.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research articles examining perceptions of ageing and depression in older adults were identified through searches on three electronical databases, alongside forward and backwards citation searches. A total of 14 articles involving 31,211 participants were identified.
Findings
Greater negative attitudes towards ageing were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and greater positive attitudes towards ageing were associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms or higher levels of happiness. However, the causal direction of this relationship could not be determined. Studies demonstrated that perceptions of ageing also act as a moderator in the relationship between depression and health status, hopelessness and personality traits. Future research should attempt to examine the relationship between perceptions of ageing and depression in older adults to attempt to identify the causal direction of this relationship.
Originality/value
This is the only systematic review the authors are aware of consolidating literature which explores the relationship between older adults’ perceptions of ageing and depression. It is hoped that these findings will be able to inform both policy and practice to improve older adults’ care and support for depression.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was conducted as part of the first author’s clinical psychology training programme at The University of Sheffield.
Declarations: No funding was received to assist with the preparation of this manuscript, and there are no other declarations of competing interest to report.
Since submission of this article, the following authors have updated their affiliations: Gemma Hartley is at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York, UK and Jack Purrington is at Chrysalis Associates, UK.
Citation
Hartley, G. and Purrington, J. (2023), "The relationship between older adults’ perceptions of ageing and depression: a systematic review", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-07-2022-0044
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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