Age and Gender Differences in Relationships Among Sociodemographics, Disease, Psychosocial Stressors, and Mental Health in Older Japanese Adults

This study aimed to identify age and gender differences in the relationships among sociodemographics, disease, psychosocial stressors, and mental health status among older adults, using nationally representative data in Japan.

This study included 8733 adults aged 65 years or older, who were respondents in the Comprehensive Survey of People’s Living Conditions (CSPLC) conducted in 2007 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). Participants were stratified by gender and the following age groups: 65-74 years (young-old) and 75 years or older (old-old). Univariate and multiple logistic analyses were used to assess the relationships among sociodemographics (living arrangement, working status, and equivalised disposable household income), disease (the top five responses chosen by each group), psychosocial stressors (the top five responses chosen by each group), and mental health.

In all groups, the psychosocial stressors of “one's disease/long-term care,” “disease/long-term care of other family members,” “income/family budget/debts,” and “motivation in life” were found to be significantly related to mental health. In young-old men, equivalised disposable household income, working status, and the psychosocial stressor of “one’s job” were significantly associated with mental health. In young-old women, significant associations with mental health were found for equivalised disposable household income, eye diseases, lower back pain, and the psychosocial stressor of “relationship with family.” In old-old men, the psychosocial stressor of “relationship with family” was independently associated with mental health. In old-old women, lower back pain and the psychosocial stressor of “relationship with family” were related to mental health.

In addition to reducing stressors, socio-economic support for young-old men, and prevention of lower back pain for young-old and old-old women effectively promote mental health.

This work was funded by a research grant from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (H22-seisaku-shitei-033). We thank Kenji Shibuya and Hideki Hashimoto for their academic support.