Gender Differences in Depression among Older Adults (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for:  Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and LMFTs

Course By: Tim Grigsby, PhD

Content By: Girgus, J. S., Yang, K., & Ferri, C. V. (2017). The gender difference in depression: Are elderly women at greater risk for depression than elderly men? Geriatrics, 2(4), e35. https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics2040035

Course Description: A well-established literature has documented gender differences in unipolar depression. Yet, the vast majority of existing epidemiological and risk factor research has focused on adolescents and young adults when these gender differences become more noticeable. This course will introduce participants to life span and age-specific psychosocial risk factors for depression that might also contribute to observed gender differences in older populations. Further longitudinal research is needed to identify if factors that contribute to gender differences earlier in life remain important in old age and whether age-specific risk factors become more important as individuals with depression age. Clinicians and researchers should continue to investigate gender differences in depression in order to develop targeted and informed interventions for affected individuals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the prevalence of gender differences in depression across the life span
2. Identify life span and age specific factors that contribute to observed gender differences in depression during old age
3. Summarize the theoretical and clinical implications of identifying gender differences among the elderly

Course Outline:

• Read and understand The gender difference in depression: Are elderly women at greater risk for depression than elderly men?
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Reflect on psychosocial risk and protective factors that might contribute to gender depression among the elderly
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand life span and age-specific factors that contribute to observed gender differences in depression in age 65 and older populations

Approvals: