Seasonal changes in psychological well-being in an elderly population

BACKGROUND: Little is known about seasonal fluctuations in psychological well-being among elderly people. METHOD: Over a period of 21 months, 1466 elderly people completed the General Health Questionnaire and the Leeds Scales for Depression and Anxiety. Scores during the winter months (December to February) were compared with those during other months of the year. RESULTS: Scores on all scales were significantly higher during the winter months, but there was no difference in rates of caseness. Unlike younger populations, elderly women did not exhibit greater seasonality in well-being than did elderly men. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly people exhibit a small seasonal fluctuation in psychological well-being, which is probably of little clinical importance, and there is no gender difference. The findings support the contention that seasonal mood changes are most pronounced among females of reproductive age.