The extent of the similarities and discrepancies in the reporting of depressive symptomatology by children and their mothers was examined. Child-parent agreement was not always impressive, particularly for more subjective symptoms. It is suggested that direct psychiatric assessment of children provides a more accurate picture of their mental state regardless of presenting disorder, but particularly where depression is suspected.

This paper examines the family background, premorbid personality traits and adverse life events preceding childhood depression. The non-depressed group proved more likely to have experienced pre-school bereavement and familial disturbance, and to come from the more deprived background; there was also an excess of premorbid anxiety and hysterical personality traits in this group. School phobia and premorbid obsessional traits were associated with the depressed group. Although there was an association between depression and the total number of adverse life events, this was more substantial when the perceived impact of the events was taken into account. Of the individual classes of life event, only illness and a change in social relationships were associated specifically with depression.

Background. Depression and social isolation are believed to be strongly interrelated. Social isolation can lead to depression because of reduced human contact and connectivity. Depression can cause withdrawal from interpersonal encounters and fuel feelings of social isolation. Despite causality, this study aimed to examine the relationship between depression and social isolation risk among older adults. Methods. Using an internet-delivered survey, data were analyzed from a national sample of 4,082 adults age 60 years and older. The survey intended to validate the Upstream Social Isolation Risk Screener (U-SIRS), a 13-item screener (Cronbach’s alpha=0.80) to assesses physical, emotional, and social support aspects of social isolation. Theta scores for the U-SIRS served as the primary independent variable, which were generated using Item Response Theory. Depression was the dependent variable for this study, which was identified using the PHQ-2 (scores of 3+ indicated risk for depression). Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with depression. Results. Participants’ average age was 69.6(±5.2) years, 59% of participants were female, and 9% met depression criterion. Depressive symptomology and U-SIRS theta scores were positively significantly correlated (r=0.56, P<0.001). Participants with higher U-SIRS theta scores (OR=3.52, P<0.001), with more chronic conditions (OR=1.16, P<0.001), and without people they felt close to and could call for help (OR=1.76, P=0.004) were more likely to report depression. Conclusion. Given the strong interrelation of depression and social isolation risk, coordinated efforts are needed to both treat depressive symptomology and link older adults to resources and services that facilitate meaningful interactions with others.

Background. Transportation is essential to accessing healthcare and community services, but the inability to find transportation may hinder social interactions and connectivity. This study examined driving and transportation access associated with self-reported social isolation risk among adults age 60 years and older. Methods. The Upstream Social Isolation Risk Screener (U-SIRS) was developed to assess social isolation risk among older adults within clinical and community settings. Comprised of 13 items (Cronbach’s alpha=0.80), the U-SIRS assesses physical, emotional, and social support aspects of social isolation. Using an internet-delivered survey, data were analyzed from a national sample of 4,082 adults age 60 years and older. Theta scores for the U-SIRS served as the dependent variable, which were generated using Item Response Theory. An ordinary least squares regression model was fitted to identify transportation-related indicators associated with social isolation risk. Results. Approximately 13% of participants did not drive and 18.2% reported not being able to identify a ride or transportation when needed. Higher U-SIRS scores were reported among participants who did not drive (B=0.034, P=0.020). Lower U-SIRS scores were reported among those who live with a spouse/partner (B=-0.153, P<0.001) and those who reported the ability to get a ride from a family member (B=-0.160, P<0.001), friend (B=-0.256, P<0.001), or taxi (B=-0.032, P=0.044). Every additional source of transportation available significantly reduced participants’ U-SIRS score (B=-0.239, P<0.001). Conclusion. Given transportation options may reflect physical functioning, social networks, and socioeconomic status, study findings suggest transportation access is an important contextual factor associated with social isolation risk.