K. Romanov1, J. Varjonen2, J. Kaprio1,3, & M. Koskenvuo2
Factors explaining vulnerability to depressive symptoms as assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were studied among 12,063 Finnish adult same-sex twins, aged 33 to 60 years. The effect of stressful life-events on variation of depressive symptoms was analyzed, and quantitative and qualitative social support, somatic health, neuroticism, self-assurance, marital status and socioeconomic class were controlled. Quality and quantity of social support had independent buffering effects on the impact of life events on BDI scores. Multivariate models, analyzed separately for men and women by their somatic health status showed that BDI scores were associated with life events, lack of social support, and chronic somatic disease. Analyses of pairwise twin data are in progress and will be reported.
Address: Department of Public Health, P.O. Box 41, Mannerheimintie 172, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland, 358-9-19127595 (ph), 358-9-19127600 (fax), Kalle.Romanov@helsinki.fi
1Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland 2Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland 3Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki