The prognosis of depression is poorer among old persons than among younger persons, making it pertinent to further investigate depression-maintaining factors in this group. In order to better be able to identify old persons at risk of suffering a depressive relapse after apparently successful treatment, we want to examine the relations between coping strategies, locus of control orientation and outcome of treatment of major depression in seven large old age psychiatric hospital units in Norway. Patients will be assessed at treatment start and end, and 12 months after treatment start. The study is part of PRODE (Prognosis of depression in the elderly) a three year observational, multicenter study.
Method: 169 hospitalized depressed patients (>65) were included and assessed by standardized scales by trained personnel. We measured depressive symptoms, coping strategies, locus of control orientation and health. Diagnosis and treatment were documented according to standardized methods. 150 healthy, old persons were also recruited to constitute
a reference group. They were recruited from community and primary health care settings.
Aims: Old persons can be screened to identify individuals at risk of suffering a relapse after apparently successful treatment of major depression. To develop intervention programs that strengthen the adaptive coping strategies and facilitates the old persons` locus of control orientation and resilience to depressive symptomatology in late life.
