H. Magnusson

TL;DR: A two-factor solution seemed appropriate: depression, tearfulness and wishing to die loaded on the first factor (affective suffering), and loss of interest, poor concentration and lack of enjoyment on the second (motivation).

TL;DR: Considerable variation occurs in the levels of depression across Europe, the cause for which is not immediately obvious and case and sub-case levels taken together show greater variability, suggesting that it is not a matter of case/sub-case selection criteria, which were standardised by computer.

TL;DR: Large between-centre differences in depression symptoms were not explained by demography or by the depression measure used in the survey, suggesting depression may be overdiagnosed in older persons because of an increase in lack of motivation.

TL;DR: The association between physical health and depressive symptoms in later life is consistent across western Europe and the association of depressive symptoms with functional disability was stronger than with chronic physical conditions.

TL;DR: Religious practice is associated with less depression in elderly Europeans, both on the individual and the national level, especially when it is embedded within a traditional value-orientation.