One in 11 older Canadians has experienced depression, University of Toronto study finds
New research highlights how childhood adversities, chronic health conditions, and sense of purpose are associated with mental health in later life
Toronto, Canada – A new study of 3,500 Canadians aged 55 and older revealed a strong association between early childhood adversities and depression. Experiencing physical abuse in childhood was linked to a threefold increase in the likelihood of lifetime depression, while exposure to sexual abuse or parental domestic violence more than doubled the risk.
The University of Toronto research was published recently in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus.
“Our findings shine a light on how trauma in the earliest years can echo through decades, shaping patterns of mental health and well-being,” says the first author, Megha Goel, a doctoral student at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (FIFSW) and the Institute of Life Course and Aging (ILCA).
The researchers also found that a strong sense of purpose matters: Individuals who rarely felt life had meaning were more likely to suffer from depression.
“This research reinforces what many people intuitively know—when we feel disconnected from purpose, our mental health suffers,” said Goel. “And the good news is, meaning is something we can build and nurture.”
Physical health was another important correlate of lifetime depression. People with three or more chronic physical health conditions had 5 times the prevalence of lifetime depression compared to their peers without any chronic conditions.
“The mind and body are deeply connected—especially as we age. These findings make the case for more holistic healthcare for older populations,” says senior author Esme Fuller-Thomson, Director of University of Toronto’s ILCA and a professor in the FIFSW and the Department of Family & Community Medicine.
The study’s findings also indicated that middle-aged adults 55 to 64 years-old were twice as likely to have experienced depression at some point in their life compared to Canadians aged 65 and older (12.8% vs 6.1%). This was surprising, as the older group had a longer lifespan during which depression could have developed.
Consistent with previous studies, women had much higher prevalence of lifetime depression than their male peers (11.6% vs 6.6%).
The finding that one in 11 older adults has a lifetime history of depression underlines the importance of ensuring that individuals experiencing depression at any age receive timely and effective interventions. Although the study was not designed to evaluate the effectiveness of any intervention to address depression, “many previous studies indicate that a particularly promising intervention for depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),” said Dr. Fuller-Thomson.
As was outlined in the article, CBT is a talk-based, goal-oriented therapy typically delivered over 8-12 one-hour weekly sessions. It aims to reduce depressive symptoms through a collaborative, problem-solving approach, helping individuals identify, challenge, and restructure maladaptive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. “CBT has demonstrated efficacy across age groups, equipping individuals with practical skills that extend beyond therapy and fostering lifelong coping strategies. Digital delivery of CBT via the internet or telephone can help reach underserved older communities by reducing transportation barriers and addressing mobility limitations and reducing costs,” highlighted Fuller-Thomson.
The study was based on a nationally representative sample of Canadians aged 55 and older who participated in the 2022 Canadian Mental Health Access to Care Survey.
“Our research shows that the roots of depression in later life are complex and deeply interconnected,” says Goel. “Early life experiences, ongoing physical health challenges, and even whether someone feels a sense of meaning in their day-to-day life all play a role. These findings underscore the importance of a holistic, lifelong approach to mental health.”
Journal
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus
Method of Research
Survey
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Examining early adversities, demographic, health and psychosocial factors associated with lifetime depression among older Canadians: Findings from a nationally representative study
Article Publication Date
23-Jul-2025
Normal hormone levels trigger severe depression in some women; researcher discovers mechanism
Dr. David Rubinow's "differential sensitivity" finding revolutionized reproductive psychiatry treatment
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David Rubinow, MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
view moreCredit: David Rubinow, MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, USA, 29 July 2025 – In a wide-ranging Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, Dr. David R. Rubinow recounts the serendipitous path that led him to overturn decades of medical assumptions about hormone-related mood disorders in women.
The interview reveals how a chance phone call accepting a fellowship position he had initially rejected set Dr. Rubinow on a trajectory that would fundamentally change how medicine understands and treats reproductive mood disorders. His discovery that women with conditions like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression have completely normal hormone levels challenged the prevailing wisdom of an entire field.
The Power of Saying Yes
"I called him right back and said that I would be grateful to accept his invitation," Dr. Rubinow recalls of the moment that changed his career trajectory. That decision to work with Dr. Bob Post at the National Institute of Mental Health launched a 27-year career at NIH that would validate the experiences of millions of women whose hormone-related mood symptoms had been dismissed or misunderstood.
Through meticulous research involving blinded hormone manipulation studies, Dr. Rubinow and colleague Dr. Peter Schmidt identified what they termed "differential sensitivity" – the phenomenon where susceptible women respond differently to normal hormonal fluctuations. This breakthrough shifted treatment approaches from attempting to normalize hormone levels to targeting the abnormal response mechanisms themselves.
From Bench to Bedside
The practical impact of Dr. Rubinow's work materialized when his insights contributed to developing brexanolone (Zulresso), the first FDA-approved medication specifically for postpartum depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants, this neurosteroid treatment directly addresses the differential sensitivity mechanisms his research had uncovered.
In the interview, Dr. Rubinow shares how his background in philosophy and history unexpectedly prepared him for scientific discovery. "What I enjoyed in those two areas were the discipline of questioning in philosophy and the opportunity for creative linking of ideas in history," he explains. This interdisciplinary thinking enabled him to identify novel connections that yielded significant physiological insights.
Building Legacy Through Leadership
After establishing himself as a researcher, Dr. Rubinow brought his vision to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006, serving as Chair of Psychiatry until 2019. During his tenure, he founded the UNC Center for Women's Mood Disorders, established (with Samantha Meltzer-Brody) the nation's first peripartum psychiatry inpatient unit, and created (with Susan Girdler) the first NIH-sponsored fellowship in women's mood disorders.
The interview also reveals Dr. Rubinow's parallel passions for music and woodworking, offering glimpses into the person behind the scientific achievements. His philosophy of "bringing the chisel when sent for the hammer" – inherited from his grandfather – reflects the thoughtful, comprehensive approach that characterized his research career.
Recognition and Reflection
A member of the National Academy of Medicine since 2012 and past president of both the Society of Biological Psychiatry and the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Dr. Rubinow has authored over 400 scientific publications. Yet in the interview, he attributes much of his success to serendipity and being open to unexpected opportunities.
His work has particular relevance as awareness of women's mental health continues to grow. By establishing reproductive psychiatry as a legitimate subspecialty with evidence-based treatments, Dr. Rubinow's research has provided hope and validation for women whose experiences were previously marginalized in medical settings.
Dr. David R. Rubinow's Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series called Innovators & Ideas that highlights the people behind today's most influential scientific breakthroughs. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that explore the scientist's impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and rising stars featured in our Innovators & Ideas – Genomic Press Interview series can be found in our publications website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/.
The Genomic Press Interview in Brain Medicine titled "David R. Rubinow: Triggers and susceptibility–reproductive steroids and the regulation of affective state," is freely available via Open Access on 29 July 2025 in Brain Medicine at the following hyperlink: https://doi.org/10.61373/bm025k.0089.
About Brain Medicine: Brain Medicine (ISSN: 2997-2639, online and 2997-2647, print) is a peer-reviewed medical research journal published by Genomic Press, New York. Brain Medicine is a new home for the cross-disciplinary pathway from innovation in fundamental neuroscience to translational initiatives in brain medicine. The journal's scope includes the underlying science, causes, outcomes, treatments, and societal impact of brain disorders, across all clinical disciplines and their interface.
Visit the Genomic Press Virtual Library: https://issues.genomicpress.com/bookcase/gtvov/
Our full website is at: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/
Journal
Brain Medicine
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