Depression is a major public health problem and the most frequent cause of emotional suffering in later life, which significantly decreases the quality of life of older adults. Social support from family members, and especially children, is of key importance for mental health and well-being. In this study, Maja Djundeva, Melinda Mills, Rafael Wittek and Nardi Steverink explore the role of gender, functional limitations, and social interaction in the association between instrumental support from adult children and parental depression.

Adverse health conditions experienced during individuals’ first year of life increase the risk of sick leave in adulthood. This link, explored in a study by Jonas Helgertz and Mats R. Persson (Lund University, Sweden) is not mediated by socioeconomic circumstances later in life.