Is Depression Viewed as an Inevitable Consequence of Age? The “Understandability Phenomenon” in Older People

Abstract The "understandability phenomenon" (CitationBlanchard, 1992) asserts that older people believe depression to be a normal consequence of old age. However, there is limited empirical evidence to support this concept. A measure was developed with community dwelling depressed and nondepressed older people that examined their belief in this concept. The "understandability phenomenon" was not related to depression but was related to older peoples' beliefs about their own aging. Depressed and nondepressed older people shared the belief that depression is an inevitable consequence of old age. The understandabilty phenomenon was endorsed by the oldest-old and particularly those living alone. KEYWORDS: age stereotypeslate life depressionpsychotherapy