The Impact of Psychosocial Factors on Late-Life Depression

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.