Sintomatología depresiva en adultos mayores ecuatorianos: prevalencia, factores asociados y análisis psicométrico

Depression in older adults represents a public health concern due to its high prevalence and significant consequences on quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptomatology, as well as the associated risk and protective factors, in a probabilistic sample of 1,893 Ecuadorian older adults (M = 75.55 years; SD = 7.52). Additionally, the psychometric properties of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were evaluated. A non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational design was employed, incorporating an instrumental-psychometric component. The results showed a prevalence of moderate depressive symptoms in 5.2% and severe symptoms in 93.1% of the total sample, with higher rates observed among women (55.5%) and residents of rural areas (59.7%). The most frequently reported dimensions were depressed affect and introspection. Logistic regression analysis identified female sex and high levels of introspection as risk factors, whereas having a source of income and higher levels of positive affect were associated with a lower risk of depression. The CES-D scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α = .894; ω = .906) and structural validity, showing satisfactory fit in factorial models and measurement invariance across sex. These findings support the CES-D as a reliable instrument for assessing depressive symptomatology in Ecuadorian older adults and highlight the importance of early detection to design preventive interventions and improve their psychosocial well-being.