Abstract
Abstract: An East-West divide in late-life wellbeing in Europe? A comparative study of 12 countries This study explores late-life loneliness and depression in European countries, noting the role of micro-level differences in socioeconomic status, health, and social variables. Findings from cross-sectional, nationally representative data from 12 countries and 36,000 individuals in the Generations and Gender Survey show a marked East–West divide among older but not among younger adults. Among older adults (aged 60–80) loneliness and depression are as much as three to four times more prevalent in Eastern European (20–40%) than in Northwest European countries (10–15%). These patterns reflect economic, social, and societal issues which in turn affect the conditions for active and healthy aging. There is considerable variation among Eastern European countries, correlating with macro-level economic development and welfare spending. Generous welfare states seem to offer a buffer against, or postpone, the risk of late-life depression and loneliness. Cultural factors may also play a role: because of high expectations as to strong family and community ties, Eastern Europeans may have a lower loneliness threshold than other Europeans.
Highlights
An East-West divide in late-life wellbeing in Europe? A comparative study of 12 countries This study explores late-life loneliness and depression in European countries, noting the role of micro-level differences in socioeconomic status, health, and social variables
Vi benyttet en grenseverdi som er høyere enn den konvensjonelle i forskningsfeltet, fordi vi er interessert i en mer alvorlig og problematisk grad av ensomhet
Depressive symptomer er målt ved en 7-ledd-versjon av den 20-ledd Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (Radloff, 1977)
Summary
Ensomhet er målt ved en 6-ledd-versjon av den opprinnelige 11-ledd De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (De Jong Gierveld et al, 2006). Etter å ha snudd de positive leddene laget vi en additiv indeks som går fra 0–12 (α = .75), hvor høye skårer indikerer høy grad av ensomhet. Vi benyttet en grenseverdi som er høyere enn den konvensjonelle i forskningsfeltet, fordi vi er interessert i en mer alvorlig og problematisk grad av ensomhet (se Hansen & Slagsvold, 2016). Depressive symptomer er målt ved en 7-ledd-versjon av den 20-ledd Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) (Radloff, 1977). En indeks (0–21) ble konstruert (α = .89) der høy skår indikerer mer depressive symptomer. Merk at CES-D måler depressive symptomer og ikke klinisk depresjon (i henhold til ICD-10 eller DSM-IV diagnostiske kriterier) (Fiske et al, 2009).
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