Prevalence Estimates Of Depression Research Articles

Economic Grand Rounds: Income Inequality and Depression Prevalence Across the United States: An Ecological Study

Research has shown a relationship between income inequality and poor health. This column reports findings from a state-level study of the relationship between income inequality and the prevalence of depression. Estimates of depression prevalence by state, obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, were linked with Gini coefficients for U.S. household income, obtained from the Census Bureau. The current prevalence of depression was significantly associated with income inequality—the more unequal, the higher the depression prevalence. The association persisted after adjustment for income per capita, percentage of the population with a college degree, and percentage over age 65 years. (Psychiatric Services 62:710–712, 2011)

Sexual Attraction, Depression, Self-Harm, Suicidality and Help-Seeking Behaviour in New Zealand Secondary School Students

To describe the sexual attractions of New Zealand secondary school students and investigate the associations between sexual attraction and self-reported depression, self-harm, suicidality and help-seeking behaviour. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the associations between sexual attraction and depressive symptoms, suicidality, self-harming and help-seeking behaviours in a nationally representative secondary school health and well-being survey, undertaken in 2007. Of the students surveyed, 92% were attracted to the opposite sex, 1% to the same sex, 3% to both sexes, 2% were not sure and 2% were attracted to neither sex. Students who were attracted to the same or to both sexes consistently had higher prevalence estimates of depression (p = < 0.0001), suicidality (p = < 0.0001) and self-harming (p = < 0.0001). Odds ratios were highest for students who reported they were attracted to both sexes for depressive symptoms (OR 3.7, 95%CI 2.8-4.7), self-harm (OR 5.8, 95%CI 4.4-7.6) and attempted suicide (OR 7.0, 95%CI 5.2-9.4). Students not exclusively attracted to the opposite sex were more likely to report having seen a health professional for an emotional worry and were more likely to have difficulty accessing help for emotional concerns. The study findings highlight significant mental health disparities faced by students attracted to the same or both sexes, with those attracted to both sexes appearing particularly vulnerable. There is a vital need to ensure primary care and mental health services have the capacity and capability to screen and provide appropriate responsive care for youth who are attracted to the same or both sexes.

A comparison of depression prevalence estimates measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire with two administration modes: computer-assisted telephone interviewing versus computer-assisted personal interviewing

To compare depression prevalence estimates measured by the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) with two administration modes in two national surveys. Data on adults aged 18 years and older who participated in the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) (n = 198,678) and those who participated in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (n = 4,800) were analyzed. The crude PHQ-8 depression prevalence estimate using the diagnostic algorithm was higher in BRFSS with computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) (9.16%, SE 0.15) than in NHANES with computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) (6.28%, SE 0.59) (P < 0.001). After adjustment for demographic characteristics, the difference in the prevalence estimates remained (9.68% in BRFSS vs. 6.13% in NHANES, P < 0.001). Similar differences in the depression prevalence estimates using the PHQ-8 cutoff score ≥10 were detected (9.22% in BRFSS vs. 5.15% in NHANES, P < 0.001). Significant differences in the depression prevalence persisted in subgroups stratified by demographic characteristics and major health risk factors and outcomes. The PHQ-8 administered by CATI yielded about 3.5% higher depression prevalence estimate than that by CAPI.

Prevalence of major depression in ALS: Comparison of a semi-structured interview and four self-report measures

This study aimed to compare prevalence estimates of current major depression obtained with a semi-structured interview and four frequently used self-report depression severity measures in a sample of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Thirty-seven ALS patients (56.8% males) aged 37-80 years (mean 62.0 ± 10.7) without respiratory insufficiency or dementia were studied during hospitalization or on a follow-up visit. SCID-IV interview as well as self-report Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), ALS Depression Inventory (ADI), Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-I) were administered. Kappa coefficients of diagnostic agreement between various instruments were calculated. Results showed that 37.8% of patients had a lifetime diagnosis of depression and in 13.5% depression followed ALS onset. Percentages of patients 'diagnosed' with current major depression were: 21.6% (SCID-IV), 16.7% (HADS-D ≥ 11), 16.2% (ADI ≥ 29), 25% (CES-D ≥ 24) and 24.3% (BDI-I ≥ 16). High kappa values were recorded between CES-D, BDI-I and SCID-IV as well as between HADS-D and ADI. CES-D, BDI-I and SCID-IV gave the highest prevalence estimates of current major depression in ALS patients and were in poor agreement with estimates based on HADS and ADI; it is suggested that this is possibly because the former give a far greater emphasis on physical symptoms of depression than the latter.

Depression comorbidity in spinocerebellar ataxia

This is a description of the prevalence and profile of depressive symptoms in dominant spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). Depressive symptoms were assessed in a convenience sample of 526 genetically confirmed and clinically affected patients (117 SCA1, 163 SCA2, 139 SCA3, and 107 SCA6) using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). In addition, depressive status according to the examiner and the use of antidepressants was recorded. Depression self-assessment was compared with an interview-based psychiatric assessment in a subset of 26 patients. Depression prevalence estimates were 17.1% according to the PHQ algorithm and 15.4% when assessed clinically. The sensitivity of clinical impression compared with PHQ classification was low (0.35), whereas diagnostic accuracy of PHQ compared with psychiatric interview in the subset was high. Antidepressants were used by 17.7% of patients and in >10% of patients without current clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Depression profile in SCA did not differ from a sample of patients with major depressive disorder except for the movement-related item. Neither depression prevalence nor use of antidepressants differed between genetic subtypes, with only sleep disturbance more common in SCA3. In a multivariate analysis, ataxia severity and female sex independently predicted depressive status in SCA. The PHQ algorithmic classification is appropriate for use in SCA but should stimulate further psychiatric evaluation if depression is indicated. Despite a higher risk for depression with more severe disease, the relation of depressive symptoms to SCA neurodegeneration remains to be shown.

The epidemiology of major depression and ethnicity in the United States

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence, age of onset, severity, associated disability, and treatment of major depression among United States ethnic groups, national survey data were analyzed. MethodsNational probability samples of US household residents aged 18-years and older (n=14,710) participated. The main outcomes were past-year and lifetime major depression (World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview). Major depression prevalence estimates, age of onset, severity, associated disability, and disaggregated treatment use (pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy) and treatment guideline concordant use were examined by ethnicity. ResultsThe prevalence of major depression was higher among US-born ethnic groups compared to foreign-born groups, but not among older adults. African Americans and Mexicans had significantly higher depression chronicity and significantly lower depression care use and guideline concordant use than Whites. DiscussionWe provide concise and detailed guidance for better understanding the distribution of major depression and related mental healthcare inequalities and related morbidity. Inequalities in depression care primarily affecting Mexican Americans and African Americans may relate to excesses in major depression disease burden.

Recent Changes in the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders Among VA Nursing Home Residents

This study identified recent changes in the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing home residents. Psychiatric diagnoses in administrative databases were summarized for nursing home residents in 1998, 2002, and 2006. Census prevalence rates were compared with findings from earlier VA nursing home surveys. Prevalence rates were compared for age groups and birth cohorts of VA nursing home admissions in 1998 (N=27,734) and 2006 (N=32,543). Among residents in the census samples, prevalence rates for dementia and schizophrenia fluctuated moderately from 1990 to 2006, depression prevalence increased sharply, alcohol use disorder prevalence declined, and drug use disorder prevalence increased. Among 1998 and 2006 admissions, dementia prevalence increased for most birth cohorts but declined for most age groups (35% to 32% overall). Depression prevalence increased for all age groups and birth cohorts (27% to 37% overall), as did posttraumatic stress disorder prevalence (5% to 12% overall). Serious mental illness prevalence increased among the oldest residents and birth cohorts (19% to 22% overall). Alcohol use disorder prevalence declined for all birth cohorts and most age groups (18% to 16% overall), but drug use disorder prevalence increased substantially for younger age groups (6% to 9% overall). Examining differences in prevalence between birth cohorts and age groups can clarify trends in nursing home resident characteristics and improve projections of their future needs.

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among Haitian immigrant students: implications for access to mental health services and educational programming

BackgroundPrevious studies of Haitian immigrant and refugee youth have emphasized "externalizing" behaviors, such as substance use, high risk sexual behavior, and delinquency, with very little information available on "internalizing" symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Analyzing stressors and "internalizing" symptoms offers a more balanced picture of the type of social and mental health services that may be needed for this population. The present study aims to: 1) estimate the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Haitian immigrant students; and 2) examine factors associated with depression and PTSD to identify potential areas of intervention that may enhance psychosocial health outcomes among immigrant youth from Haiti in the U.S.MethodsA stratified random sample of Haitian immigrant students enrolled in Boston public high schools was selected for participation; 84% agreed to be interviewed with a standardized questionnaire. Diagnosis of depression and PTSD was ascertained using the best estimate diagnosis method.ResultsThe prevalence estimates of depression and PTSD were 14.0% and 11.6%; 7.9% suffered from comorbid PTSD and depression. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated factors most strongly associated with depression (history of father's death, self-report of schoolwork not going well, not spending time with friends) and PTSD (concern for physical safety, having many arguments with parents, history of physical abuse, and lack of safety of neighborhood).ConclusionsA significant level of depression and PTSD was observed. Stressors subsequent to immigration, such as living in an unsafe neighborhood and concern for physical safety, were associated with an increased risk of PTSD and should be considered when developing programs to assist this population. Reducing exposure to these stressors and enhancing access to social support and appropriate school-based and mental health services may improve educational attainment and psychosocial health outcomes among Haitian immigrant youth.

A comparison of the CONOR Mental Health Index to the HSCL-10 and HADS: Measuring mental health status in The Oslo Health Study and the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study

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Depression and Anxiety in the United States: Findings From the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

This study examined the unadjusted and adjusted prevalence estimates of depression and anxiety at the state level and examined the odds ratios of depression and anxiety for selected risk behaviors, obesity, and chronic diseases. The 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a random-digit-dialed telephone survey, collected depression and anxiety data from 217,379 participants in 38 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Current depressive symptoms were assessed with the standardized and validated eight-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and lifetime diagnosis of depression and anxiety was assessed by two additional questions (one question for each diagnosis). The overall prevalence of current depressive symptoms was 8.7% (range by state and territory, 5.3%-13.7%); of a lifetime diagnosis of depression, 15.7% (range, 6.8%-21.3%); and of a lifetime diagnosis of anxiety, 11.3% (range, 5.4%-17.2%). After sociodemographic characteristics, adverse health behaviors, and chronic illnesses were adjusted for, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, smoking, and obesity were all significantly associated with current depressive symptoms, a lifetime diagnosis of anxiety, and a lifetime diagnosis of depression. Physically inactive adults were significantly more likely than those who were physically active to have current depressive symptoms or a lifetime diagnosis of depression, whereas those who drank heavily were significantly more likely than those who did not to have current depressive symptoms or a lifetime diagnosis of anxiety. Depression and anxiety were strongly associated with common chronic medical disorders and adverse health behaviors. Examination of mental health should therefore be an integral component of overall health care.

Population projection of US adults with lifetime experience of depressive disorder by age and sex from year 2005 to 2050

To estimate the projected population of US adults aged 18 years or older with lifetime experience of doctor-diagnosed depressive disorder from 2005-2050. Based on nationally representative survey data from the year 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS), prevalence estimates of doctor-diagnosed depression (minor or major, and dysthymia) were weighted to incorporate the complex sampling design and increase generalizability of the findings. The weighted prevalence data by age and sex in 2006 were then used to estimate the projected adult population with lifetime experience of depressive disorder based on the sex-specific US Census national population projections from year 2005-2050. In year 2006 the (weighted) prevalence of lifetime experience of depressive disorder was 15.7% among 188,292 respondents aged 18 years or older. Female prevalence was 20.6%, which was about twice as high as the prevalence among males (11%). From year 2005-2050, the total number of US adults with depressive disorder will increase from 33.9 million to 45.8 million, a 35% increase. The increase is projected to be greater in the elderly population aged >or=65 years (3.8-8.2, a 117% increase) than in the young population aged <65 years (30.1-37.7, a 25% increase). By year 2050, approximately 46 million US adults aged 18 years or older will be diagnosed with a depressive disorder. The increase will be more pronounced in adults aged 65 or older. Prevention, detection, and treatment of depressive disorders might attenuate the magnitude of this estimate.

Depression Prevalence: Is it Really Increasing?

There is conflicting evidence as to whether depression prevalence is increasing or is stable. Although birth cohort analysis studies show increasing prevalence, longitudinal studies do not. To date there are no published Australian studies providing long-term estimates of depression prevalence. The aim of the present study was to examine the increasing depression prevalence hypothesis in an Australian context. Data from the 1998 and 2004 South Australian Health Omnibus Surveys were re-analysed. In each survey there were >3000 participants who were interviewed. The data were weighted to achieve representativeness prior to analysis. Depression status was classified by the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders scale (the PRIME-MD) into major, other and no depressions. Both univariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine depression trends over time and to adjust the data for significant background variables. There was no significant increase in the cases of patients classified with major depression between 1998 and 2004; there was, however, a significant decrease in other depression. The overall unadjusted prevalence of major depression was 7.4% (6.8% in 1998 and 8.0% in 2004) and for other depression it was 9.5% (10.6% in 1998 and 8.4% in 2004). The highest levels of depression, both major and other, were observed among females aged 15-29 years, and the lowest levels among those aged > or =50 years. The strongest predictor of depression was poor overall health status. It is time for the conventional wisdom that depression is increasing to be reconsidered, and for a more realistic perspective, developed from evidence-based analyses, to be accepted.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Depression in a Longitudinal, Population-Based Study Including Individuals in the Community and Residential Care

The authors report the population prevalence of depression in older adults living in the community and in residential care. Demographic, medical, health behavior, functional and cognitive measures, and transition to residential care are evaluated as risk factors for depression over eight years. Depression prevalence estimates were obtained from the initial electoral role sample of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing that included persons living in residential care. A subsample (N = 1,116) based on follow-up data were included in longitudinal multilevel analyses that evaluated between-person and within-person predictors associated with scores from the Center for Epidemiology-Depression Scale. At wave 1, 14.4% of community-dwelling and 32.0% of residential care-dwelling participants were depressed (15.2% of total cases). Increase in depression was associated with antidepressant status, sex, education, and marital status, but not history of hypertension, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, or smoking. Time-varying predictors, including residential care, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, self-rated health, and Mini-Mental State Examination, predicted depressive symptoms both between and within persons. Depression is strongly linked with factors indicating increased dependency. Risk assessment and targeting of intervention strategies to prevent depression in late life should incorporate changes in functional capacity, mental status, and need for residential care.

Prevalence estimates of depression in elderly community-dwelling African Americans in Indianapolis and Yoruba in Ibadan, Nigeria

This is a community-based longitudinal epidemiological comparative study of elderly African Americans in Indianapolis and elderly Yoruba in Ibadan, Nigeria. A two-stage study was designed in which community-based individuals were first screened using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia. The second stage was a full clinical assessment, which included use of the Geriatric Depression Scale, of a smaller sub-sample of individuals selected on the basis of their performance in the screening interview. Prevalence of depression was estimated using sampling weights according to the sampling stratification scheme for clinical assessment. Some 2627 individuals were evaluated at the first stage in Indianapolis and 2806 in Ibadan. All were aged 69 years and over. Of these, 451 (17.2%) underwent clinical assessment in Indianapolis, while 605 (21.6%) were assessed in Ibadan. The prevalence estimates of both mild and severe depression were similar for the two sites (p=0.1273 and p=0.7093): 12.3% (mild depression) and 2.2% (severe depression) in Indianapolis and 19.8% and 1.6% respectively in Ibadan. Some differences were identified in association with demographic characteristics; for example, Ibadan men had a significantly higher prevalence of mild depression than Indianapolis men (p<0.0001). Poor cognitive performance was associated with significantly higher rates of depression in Yoruba (p=0.0039). Prevalence of depression was similar for elderly African Americans and Yoruba despite considerable socioeconomic and cultural differences between these populations.

Twelve-month prevalence, correlates, and treatment preference of adults with DSM-IV major depressive episode in Hong Kong

Background The most recent large-scale community mental health survey of depression among adults in Hong Kong was conducted over two decades ago. The lifetime prevalence rates of DSM-III major depressive disorder (females 2.44% and males 1.29%) in that study do not tally with several indices of worsened social health and clinical prevalence studies of depression in contemporary Hong Kong. Methods Each of 5004 adults randomly drawn from the general population completed a telephone interview that generated the DSM-IV-based diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE), sociodemography, help-seeking, and other epidemiological data. Results Twelve-month prevalence of MDE was 8.4%. The female-to-male ratio was low but typical of surveys in Chinese communities. Female sex and unemployment were associated with increased risk. 32.5% of respondents with MDE reported frequent thoughts of suicide. Recognition of the need for treatment of depression was high but actual treatment rate and preference for mental health specialists were low. Limitations Response rate was low though cooperation rate was moderately high. Detailed demography, comorbidity, and clinical reappraisal interviews were not covered. Conclusions Resolving issues of stigma and mode of symptom elicitation may lead to more valid prevalence estimates of depression among Chinese people. Although longitudinal studies are needed to confirm a genuine increase in prevalence, depression is likely to be more common in Hong Kong than previously suggested. High recognition of the need for treatment but low rate of actual treatment calls for policy and programs that improve access to treatment.

Prevalence and Treatment of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition with debilitating symptoms, and depression is a common comorbid condition of this disease. The authors review existing literature on the prevalence and treatment of depression in PD. Prevalence estimates of depression vary widely, ranging from 7%-76%. This variation is due to inconsistent methodology. Treatment options for depression in PD include medication therapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and psychotherapy. There are few randomized controlled trials of these treatment options. The authors argue for more systematic and controlled research examining both the prevalence and treatment of depression in PD.

Lifetime prevalence estimates of major depression: An indirect estimation method and a quantification of recall bias

The measurement of lifetime prevalence of depression in cross-sectional surveys is biased by recall problems. We estimated it indirectly for two countries using modelling, and quantified the underestimation in the empirical estimate for one. A microsimulation model was used to generate population-based epidemiological measures of depression. We fitted the model to 1-and 12-month prevalence data from The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS) and the Australian Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey. The lowest proportion of cases ever having an episode in their life is 30% of men and 40% of women, for both countries. This corresponds to a lifetime prevalence of 20 and 30%, respectively, in a cross-sectional setting (aged 15-65). The NEMESIS data were 38% lower than these estimates. We conclude that modelling enabled us to estimate lifetime prevalence of depression indirectly. This method is useful in the absence of direct measurement, but also showed that direct estimates are underestimated by recall bias and by the cross-sectional setting.

Prevalence and comorbidity of major depressive disorder in young black and white women

Objective This study reports the prevalence and comorbidity of depression in two large samples of black and white young adult women. Method Clinical interviews of participants in a follow-up study of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study (NGHS-Wave II; N = 378) were contrasted with a subsample of the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS; N = 3749) to examine the rates and comorbidity of lifetime major depressive disorder in black and white women using methodology described by Kraemer (1995). The sequencing of disorders was also examined to determine which disorder was primary. Comorbidity and sequencing were examined for alcohol and drug use disorder, panic disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Results Prevalence estimates for depression, alcohol use disorder, and drug use disorder were higher for white women than for black women in both NGHS-Wave II and NCS. Over half of depressed participants in both samples had at least one comorbid disorder and depression was associated with an increased probability of all the investigated disorders. Only one ethnic difference was found in comorbidity, indicating that black women were more likely to have comorbid panic disorder than white women were. Depression was primary to alcohol and substance use disorders, whereas it was secondary to specific phobia and PTSD. Conclusions High rates of comorbidity were found for both black and white women, though few ethnic differences in comorbidity were found. Preventive and treatment interventions are needed to address multiple disorders in young adult women.

Estimating depression prevalence from the Beck Depression Inventory: is season of administration a moderator?

The existence of winter seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and its milder population variants implies that depression estimates in a given population may tend to be higher in winter than at other times of the year. The aim of this study was therefore to test whether depression prevalence estimates based on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) are systematically moderated by season of administration. Existing information from the screening phase of a multicentre investigation of depression prevalence provided the data for the study. Repeated cross-sectional BDI data from samples in the United Kingdom ( n=1299), Finland ( n=1352), Norway ( n=2711) and Spain ( n=1246) were analysed for month- and season-of-administration effects. Whether data were measured continuously or as a dichotomous variable (BDI cutoff ≥13), there was no evidence of a systematic seasonal pattern in depression estimates across the four sites. No seasonal effects reached statistical significance at any single site, and trends in the association between winter and elevated BDI scores were positive in two sites (UK and Norway) and negative in two (Finland and Spain). Although limited by a post hoc analysis of existing data, this study provides the strongest evidence to date that season of administration is not a moderator of depression prevalence as estimated by the BDI.

Comparison of Older and Younger Individuals With Multiple Sclerosis: A Preliminary Investigation.

Objective: To describe and contrast physical functioning, mental health, and quality of life of older individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) with those of younger individuals with MS. Design/Participants: Thirty older (age 60 years) and 30 younger participants with MS (age 60 years) completed telephone interviews. Main Outcome Measures: Selected subtests of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Instrument, Patient-Determined Disease Steps, Profile of Mood States—Shortened Version, Beck Depression Inventory, and Activities of Daily Living Scale. Results: After accounting for duration of illness, older individuals reported greater physical impairment than younger individuals but did not report poorer quality of life or mental health. Conclusion: Older individuals may undergo a psychological adjustment process enabling them to cope with physical impairment. A greater number of older individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) can be expected because of the aging of the general population overall and the fact that individuals with MS now have normal life expectancies (Weinshenker, 1994). However, there has been a paucity of research on this population. Although investigators have considered the influence of age in MS, samples have tended to be relatively young. Many studies have also considered the influence of duration of MS. Although duration and age are related, one is not a proxy for the other. No study, to our knowledge, has examined the independent effects of age and illness duration on physical functioning, mental health, or quality of life (QOL). A review of the natural history literature in MS found only one study that examined the association between age and disability (Provinciali, Ceravolo, Bartolini, Logullo, & Danni, 1999) and these were unrelated. However, the mean age of participants was only 43.6 years. Studies of duration of illness and disease course (e.g., Ebers et al., 2000) have indicated that MS tends to progress over time, but that course is unpredictable. These studies did not assess QOL or mental health. Mental health is often negatively affected by MS, with lifetime prevalence estimates of depression ranging from 36.7% (Schiffer, Caine, Bamford, & Levy, 1983) to 54% (Minden, Orav, & Reich, 1987). A few studies have found age and mental health to be unrelated (e.g., Singer, Hopman, & MacKenzie, 1999). However, because of the relatively young age of the samples, these studies provide little information about mental health in older individuals. QOL has been extensively investigated in MS. However, most studies have considered duration of disease rather than age. Duration tends to be negatively associated with physical domains but unrelated or positively associated with mental health (e.g., Hopman, Coo, Brunet, Edgar, & Singer, 2000). A few studies did look at age in relation to QOL (e.g., Koch, Rumrill, Roessler, & Fitzgerald, 2001); however, the mean ages were young (40s). One study (Roberts & Stuifbergen, 1998) found no differences between older (60‐75 years) and younger individuals. In view of the limited research in this area, we undertook the present study, a preliminary investigation of physical functioning, mental health, and QOL in older individuals with MS.