Executive Summary : | Mental health problems among older population have also sought attention by the global community. Till date, no published study has undertaken a comprehensive analysis of multiple effects of health utilization, economic and social factors on depression particularly among older adults (aged 45 and above) both at the national and at sub-national level (for all Indian states). The present study aims to fill this major research gap. The main objectives of the study are 1) To analyse and compare self-reported depression among older adults across different states of India. 2) To identify and map hot spots in terms of depression scores. 3) To compare the Indian states with regard to health utilization status in terms of inpatient/outpatient visits, amount spent on hospitalisation, frequency of visits to healthcare providers, etc 4) To compare Indian states with regard to health insurance coverage. 5)To compare Indian states with regard to family status in terms of education/employment status of the spouse, number of live/deceased children, etc. 6) To compare Indian states with regard to social network in terms of participation in social activities, living arrangement, relationship with friends, etc 7) To model health care utilization, health insurance, family and social network factors as predictors of depression among older adults in India 8) To further explore the association of social-demographic factors influencing depression among older Indian adults. 9) To explore and attempt to analyse overtime changes in aforementioned variables. The secondary data shall be extracted from a comprehensive primary survey, Longitudinal Ageing Survey in India (LASI)- wave 1 consisting of 72,00 old Indian adults. In addition to descriptive statistical measures, two types of regression model are to be used. The self-reported depression scores (dependent variable) shall be modelled using the hierarchical regression framework, wherein several regression models shall be built by including more factors/variables to the previous regression model at each higher/next level. The main purpose is to determine whether or not the subsequent higher model shows a significant improvement in proportion of explained variation in the dependent variable as compared to previous model. The depression scores shall be transformed into nominal/ordinal data (presence or absence of depressive symptoms; levels of depression). Regression model based on Maximum Likelohood Estimation (MLE) shall be subsequently undertaken to provide a robust mechanism to identify significant predictors (within the domain of health care utilization, health insurance, family and social network factors) in influencing depression among older Indian adults. Further, ‘club of states’ having common identified predictors of depression for older adults shall be identified. This shall result in generating evidence-based policies for older adults and elderly in India |