[Well-being and depression in residents of a provincial city 65 years old or older].

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between feeling of well-being and clinical depression for a large number of residents in a provincial city in northern Tohoku. The research sought to clarify whether one's lifestyle might play a role in whether one suffered a state of clinical depression.

Methods: The study used survey methods to question every resident 65 years old or older living in the provincial city. The questionnaire was of self-registering type and was sent out from October to December, 1998. The content of the survey followed the determination of independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), feeling of well-being, the Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and similar items.

Results: The results of the study indicated that the morale score (Feeling of well-being) for men was significantly higher at all ages when compared to scores for women, while the Zung index for men tended to be lower than that for women. Although the Zung index tended to rise with age in both sexes, only in women did the morale score tend to decine with increasing age. Comparing men with women in terms of the partial correlation coefficient between the morale score and Zung index, that for men was -0.5856 (P < 0.001) and for women was -0.6363 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: It is apparent that a state of depression is not normally suffered if an individual has a feeling of well-being. Moreover, important factors recognized for healthy aging include the general health status, activity level, and the economic situation. Various measures that must be taken to that end, involve fashIoning a way of life for senior citizens so that they form healthy habits, participate in social activities, and take part in sports.