Elderly not more
anxious than young people, studies show
Reported
August 11, 2008
The common notion that elderly people are more anxious
than young ones is not supported by research, according to psychologists
from the Berlin-based German Centre of Gerontology (DZA).
Writing in the 4/2008 issue of the DZA periodical Informationsdienst
Altersfragen (Gerontology Information Service), they said representative
studies showed that the elderly actually tended to have fewer symptoms of
anxiety.
The authors noted that psychologists differentiated among affective,
cognitive and somatic symptoms of anxiety. Affective symptoms are emotional
states accompanying anxiety, such as nervousness. Cognitive symptoms are
worries connected with anxiety. Somatic symptoms are physical reactions,
such as sweaty palms.
A study conducted in 2006
showed little difference in affective and somatic symptoms of anxiety
between elderly and young people.
Another study the same year examined the worries of more than 8,500 people
aged 16 to 74. In each of 11 categories, the extent of worries declined with
advancing age, the DZA noted, especially those having to do with financial
status, occupation, family, and social relationships. As for health worries,
there were no significant differences between the groups, the DZA said. (dpa)
