Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center believe they have pinpointed the prime factors of what causes depression in seniors, according to the institution's website.
The team published its findings in the December issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry.
"People with low-level depressive symptoms who perceive that they have poor quality social support from other people and with a past history of depression were at particularly high risk to develop new major depression within the one to four year time period of the study," Dr Jeffrey Lyness, the study's lead researcher, told the news source.
More than 600 people participated in the experiment, reports the publication. Everyone included in the study's analysis was over the age of 64 and did not have an active diagnosis of major depression.
The Mayo Clinic says depression is the most common health problem in the world. The condition can affect its sufferer's thought process and behavior, but fortunately can be treated.
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