Mental illnesses in later life are multidimensional phenomena that occur in interpersonal,
psychosocial, and biological contexts. With depression used as an example, the purpose
of this article is to review how psychosocial variables contribute to the onset and
maintenance of depression in late life, as well as influence treatment outcomes. Particular
issues discussed are how these variables can be modified to prevent the onset and
relapse of depression, how nonmodifiable risk factors can be addressed to prevent
onset and relapse, and how research in this area needs to evolve to improve prevention
and treatment.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 09, 2005
Accepted:
March 18,
2005
Received in revised form:
March 10,
2005
Received:
November 18,
2004
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
