Abstract
The "understandability phenomenon" as defined by Blanchard (1992) is the notion
that older adults believe depression is a normal consequence of old age. The concept
is referred to frequently in the gerontology literature as one of the factors responsible
for the under detection and under treatment of late life depression. However, there is
little empirical evidence to support this concept. This study assessed the
understandability of late life depression in a sample of community dwelling
depressed and non-depressed older adults. A measure was developed which
examined older adult's belief in the understandability of depression. Specifically, the
items in the measure covered depression as a natural consequence of old age, low
expectations of treatment, and accepting there are good reasons for depression in late
life. Two explanations for the phenomenon were tested. It was hypothesised that the
understandability phenomenon is a negative cognition associated with depression.
Second, it was also hypothesised that the understandability phenomenon is a function
of older adult's beliefs about ageing and old age. It was found that the
understandability phenomenon was not related to depression but was related to older
adults beliefs about their own ageing. The clinical implications of older adults belief
in the understandability of late life depression are discussed.
