Journal of Aging and Health, Ahead of Print.
ObjectivesTo examine birth cohort differences in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction in older men and women and the mechanisms underpinning the possible cohort differences.MethodsTwo independent cohorts of Finnish men and women aged 75 and 80 were assessed in 1989–1990 (n = 617) and 2017–2018 (n = 794). They reported their depressive symptoms (CES-D), current life satisfaction, and evaluation of life until now.ResultsThe later-born cohort reported fewer depressive symptoms (8.6 ± 7.1 vs. 13.9 ± 8.3) and the differences were similar for the subdomains of depressive symptoms. The later-born cohort was more often mostly satisfied with life until now (90 vs. 70%) but not with the current life than the earlier-born cohort. Better self-rated health and education of the later-born cohort partly explain the cohort differences.DiscussionOlder people in Finland report fewer depressive symptoms and they are more satisfied with their past life compared to their counterparts assessed 28 years ago.