Prevalence of Depression in Retirees: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Retirement is a final life stage characterized by the ceasing of work and the loss of a routine, social relations, role, status, accomplishments, and aspirations, etc. Many times it is accompanied by negative feelings and can provoke different psychoemotional reactions such as depression, among others. The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of depression, as well as its psychoeducational approach in retirees. Methods: A paired systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted in different databases—Medline, Scopus, CUIDEN, CINAHL, LILACS and PsycINFO. Original studies were included in English, Spanish and French that were published in the last 10 years, and which approached depression in retirees. Results: A total of 11 articles were selected after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean value of the prevalence levels of depression in retirees obtained in the meta-analysis was 28%. Depression is more frequent in retirees, with mandatory retirement, retirement due to illness, and anticipated retirement presenting higher levels of this disease. The health role in the psychoeducational approach is highlighted in 41.6% (n = 5). Conclusions: With almost one-third of retirees suffering from depression, it is necessary to implement prevention and early detection measures to approach a public health problem.

Retirement and Health Outcomes in a Meta-Analytical Framework

“…These findings confirm the conclusions in Bassanini and Caroli (2015), who showed that being forced to work while preferring to retire and, symmetrically, being forced to stop working because of workers have no control on the retirement and work decisions have a health damaging effect. Similar results are provided by Pabón-Carrasco et al (2020) and Li et al (2021), but limited to the effects on depressive symptoms. Moreover, the negative impact of postponed retirement on health, compared to statutory retirement, could reflect the consequences of being stuck in employment while one had planned to retire, for example due to pension reforms which increase the retirement age or the length of the contribution period required to be entitled to pension (see e.g.…”

“…people in the group of those who work beyond the standard retirement age are on average healthier than those who retire on-time. Finally, both Pabón-Carrasco et al (2020) and Li et al (2021) only focus on depressive symptoms: 2 according to the former, the retirees with the highest prevalence of depression are those ones who retire in a mandatory fashion or due to illness; the latter show that the association of involuntary retirement with more depressive symptoms is stronger than voluntary or regulatory retirement, and it is more pronounced in Eastern developed countries.…”

“…Pabón-Carrasco et al (2020) collect a total of 11 articles, whileLi et al (2021) have a sample of 25 longitudinal studies.…”

What Matters for Retirees to Experience A Great Quality of Life?

“…Depression is more common in retirees, with compulsory pensions, ill pensions, and anticipated retirement showing higher disease rates. Pabón-Carrasco et al (2020) discovered that nearly a third of retirees suffer from depression; it is necessary to take precautions and early detection to approach public health problems. Unexpected medical bills in terms of health care are a significant concern for many retirees.…”

Spotlight on the Challenges of Depression following Retirement and Opportunities for Interventions

“…In some countries, workers are required to retire at a specified age; 7 even in areas without a mandatory retirement age, most older adults retire from the workforce. 8 Prevalence of depression among retirees was estimated at 28%, 9 substantially higher than that of the overall older adult population. Retirement is a multi-faceted event (eg, timing, expectedness, voluntariness), and understanding how these various elements intersect with mental health has implications for addressing depression prior to, during, and after this transition.…”