Aging women and depression

Practicing psychologists will increasingly have the opportunity to include older women with depression among their clients. Research on depression in older women is summarized, including rates of disorder, age of onset, symptom profiles, suicidal behavior, risk factors for depression such as physical health and social inequalities, and protective factors such as spirituality. The empirical literature about treatment of depression in older adults is presented, with special attention to psychotherapeutic approaches. Ways in which information can help mold effective service provision are enumerated.