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)