Gender differences in depressive symptoms among older adults: a cross-national comparison: the CLESA project.

Objectives: To assess country-specific gender differences in depressive symptoms and to explore if exposures and vulnerabilities vary by gender among older men and women from four European countries and Israel.

Methods: Data on 4,449 subjects between 75 and 84 years old were derived from CLESA ("Cross-national determinants of quality of life and health services for the elderly". A ratio score of depressive symptoms derived form the CESD and GDS scales was regressed on education, marital status, living arrangements, comorbidity and disability and all interactions of these factors with gender and country.