Aging perceptions and self‐efficacy mediate the association between personality traits and depressive symptoms in older adults

As hypothesized, change in self-perceptions of aging partially mediated the relationship of hopelessness with depressive symptoms 6 years later. Findings are consistent with a conceptualization of hopelessness as broad negative expectations about the future that may contribute to negative self-perceptions of aging and subsequent changes in depressive symptoms. Reducing hopelessness, increasing hope, and improving self-perceptions of aging have potential to reduce and prevent depressive symptoms for older adults. Future research should examine the mechanisms of these interrelationships and other aging outcomes.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Self‐perceptions of aging mediate the longitudinal relationship of hopelessness and depressive symptoms

Gum

Ayalon

2017

Psychological risk and protective factors associated with depression among older adults in mainland China: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Tang

Jiang

Tang

2021

Background: Although geriatric depression is a public health concern in mainland China, findings about its psychological risk and protective factors have been inconsistent, and its prevention programmes have been deficient. To improve interventions for geriatric depression, we designed a study to systematically estimate the effect size of those factors. Methods:To identify psychological risk and protective factors of geriatric depression, we conducted two independent literature searches in English-and Chineselanguage databases, and we used a random effects model to analyse effect sizes. Results:We identified 15 psychological risk and protective factors in 66 studies. The pooled effect sizes between the factors and geriatric depression ranged from 0.129 to 0.567. Self-esteem displayed a large effect size with depression (r = −0.567), whereas medium-to-large effect sizes emerged between geriatric depression and negative perceptions of age (r = 0.452), resilience (r = −0.426), rumination (r = 0.432), neuroticism (r = 0.381), extraversion (r = −0.363), self-efficacy (r = −0.357), sense of control (r = −0.343), and negative coping strategies (r = 0.315). The sample's mean age, the percentage of women sampled, and the research quality of the studies significantly moderated certain associations.Limitations: Large heterogeneity, the inexplicability of causal relationships between the factors and geriatric depression, and the lack of generalisability to special groups limit our findings. Conclusions: Self-esteem and perceptions of age are potential targets for improving interventions for geriatric depression in mainland China, which should continue to be developed and assessed for their effectiveness.

Neuroticism is associated with increase in depression symptoms over time in older adults with type 2 diabetes

Arend,

Moshier,

Azuri

et al. 2023

ObjectivesThe likelihood of depression symptoms in those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is high. Psychological risk factors enhancing comorbidity of depression symptoms in T2D are yet to be determined. The present study examines the cross‐sectional and longitudinal relationship between personality traits and distinct depression dimensions in older adults with T2D.MethodsParticipants were older adults (age ≥65yeas) with T2D from the Israel Diabetes and Cognitive Decline (IDCD) study (N = 356), with complete data on depression [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) ‐ 15 item version] and its dimensions‐ namely, dysphoric mood, apathy, hopelessness, memory complains and anxiety, and on personality [Big Five Inventory (BFI)]. Logistic and mixed linear regression models examined cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations while adjusting for socio‐demographics, cognition, cardiovascular and diabetes‐related factors.ResultsCross‐sectionally, high neuroticism was associated with high scores in total GDS and in all depression‐dimensions, except memory complaints. Higher extroversion was associated with lower total GDS and with lower scores on all depression dimensions, except anxiety. High levels of neuroticism were associated with increase in total number of depression symptoms over time.ConclusionsIn older adults with T2D, neuroticism and extroversion are associated with most depression dimensions suggesting that these traits relate to a global depression symptomatology rather than to any specific dimension or phenomenology. High neuroticism was associated with increase in depression symptoms over time, highlighting its role in the development of depression symptoms in older adults with T2D.