Self-rated health as a moderator of the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms in older adults

Authors:
JAHN Danielle R., CUKROWICZ Kelly C.
Journal article citation:
Aging and Mental Health, 16(3), April 2012, pp.281-287.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

A variety of risk factors have been linked to depression.  The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between functional impairment, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms. Previous research has indicated that self-rated health and functional impairment each contribute to depressive symptoms. This study sought to determine if self-rated health moderates the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms in a sample of older adults. A community sample of 106 adults aged 60 and above was recruited from primary care clinics; 98 of these participants had usable data. The participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, functional impairment, and self-rated physical health. The finding showed that self-rated health moderated the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms. For participants with poor self-rated health, greater functional impairment was associated with greater depressive symptoms. The paper concludes that patient perceptions of health may be protective against depressive symptoms for those with functional impairment.

Subject terms:
older people, physical illness, activities of daily living, depression;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1364-6915
ISSN print:
1360-7863

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