Final answer:
Depression is generally more common in older adults than in younger ones due to factors such as retirement, social isolation, and increased prevalence of chronic illnesses like heart disease, which is associated with elevated risk of depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
To address the question, is depression more or less common in older adults compared to younger adults?, it is important to consider various factors that can influence depression rates amongst different age groups. Depression can be quite common in old age, particularly as adults over 65 years may experience significant life changes such as retirement, which could lead to less social interaction and feelings of loneliness. Furthermore, the presence of other health conditions can also play a part as depression has been found to have a relationship with heart disease. For instance, studies have shown that individuals with heart disease tend to experience more depression, and those with depression have an increased risk of developing heart disease.
For older adults, the stress of managing chronic illnesses, the loss of loved ones, and the potential for reduced mobility and independence can all contribute to higher levels of depression. Moreover, while it is true that people of any age can experience depression, old age is accompanied by these added social and health considerations which can heighten the risk. Hence, it is generally observed that depression is more common among older adults compared to younger ones.