O-80: Early-life financial strain, social engagement and old age depressive symptoms: a population-based study

摘要

Introduction: It remains unclear if childhood socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with depression in old age. This study aims to investigate the effect of childhood financial strain on depressive symptoms in old age, and to examine whether late-life social engagement modifies this association. Methods: Data from the Swedish National study of Aging and Care in Kungsholmen, a community-based longitudinal study of aging, spanning clinical assessments over 15 years of follow-up were used. Information on financial strain in childhood was collected at baseline. Repeated measures of depressive symptoms were ascertained with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. A social engagement index comprised information on baseline social network and leisure activities. Linear, logistic and mixed-effect models were used to estimate baseline and longitudinal associations. Results: Childhood financial strain was associated with a higher baseline level of depressive symptoms (β = 0.37, p< 0.05), but not with longitudinal change over time. Relative to those with a combination of no financial strain and active social engagement, the level of depressive symptoms was progressively increased in those without financial strain but with inactive social engagement (β = 0.43; p < 0.05), as well as in those with both financial strain and inactive engagement (β = 0.99; p < 0.05). Individuals with financial strain who had active social engagement exhibited a similar burden of symptoms as those without financial strain and with rich social engagement. Conclusions: Early-life financial strain may have a lasting effect on old age depressive symptoms, although its detrimental consequences may be modified by active social engagement in late life.