Abstract

GAMEIRO, Sofia et al. Depressive symptomatology and quality of life in the general population. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2008, vol.9, n.1, pp.103-112. ISSN 1645-0086.

It is consensual that depressive symptomatology has a strong psychosocial impact on a person’s Quality of Life (QoL), but it is still relatively unclear its differential impact, according to depression level of severity. The goals are: 1) analyze the presence of depressive symptomatology in the general population; 2) assess the impact of severity of depressive symptomatology on QoL. 307 subjects from general population were assessed regarding QoL (WHOQOL-100) and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory). Fiftynine individuals (19.2%) showed depressive symptoms. From these, 47 fit the Mild Depression BDI category, 11 de Moderate Depression and 1 the Severe Depression. Subjects with depressive symptoms had significantly lower values in all QoL domains and facets. Depressive symptomatology proved to be significantly and negatively associated to all QoL domains. Subjects that fit the “mild depression” category of the BDI reported significantly lower scores of QoL on all WHOQOL (but the Spirituality) domains than non depressed individuals. This study highlights the significant impact of (subsyndromal) depression on individuals’ overall well being and the importance of its early correct identification in general population, so that it can be considered for both treatment and preventive intervention.

Keywords : Quality of life; Depressive symptoms; WHOQoL; World Health Organization (WHO).

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