Brief-Time-Series Analysis of Depressive Symptomatology in Older People

Abstract

This research shows the utility of systematic data-gathering from older people and of a statistical analysis procedure for interpreting the data. Four cases of institutionalized older people are presented, and their scores of depressive symptomatology over a period of one to two years is analyzed. Time-series analysis showed a significant positive trend of depression symptomatology in two of the cases, perhaps too subtle for detection in routine clinical check-up, but statistically verifiable. In one of these cases, none of the factors of the scale stands out, despite the fact that the general index shows a statistically significant change over the 36 observations made, so that the results obtained are related to the syndrome of depletion or exhaustion. In the second of the cases, we detect a significant change in the depressive mood factor, which may indicate a subclinical depressive form in its initial stages. Continuous registers can reveal valuable information about situations and progress in the evolution of an older person's mood, with regard to natural development, the prelude to a mood disorder, or follow-up in clinical cases.

Age-related Changes in Recognition and Response Criterion

“…In other words, the other's emotional state is recognized by simulating an analogous state in ourselves (e.g., Goldman, & Sripada, 2005). Nevertheless, there have been substantial data to the contrary that suggest that if anything increases in old age, it is the experience of negative events, at least in terms of illness and the death of loved ones, which lead emotions such as sadness to be experienced with greater intensity and frequency than in youth (e.g., Rodríguez-Testal, & Valdés, 2003). Nevertheless, there have been substantial data to the contrary that suggest that if anything increases in old age, it is the experience of negative events, at least in terms of illness and the death of loved ones, which lead emotions such as sadness to be experienced with greater intensity and frequency than in youth (e.g., Rodríguez-Testal, & Valdés, 2003).…”

“…Some supporters of this theory defend parallel assumptions to Socio-emotional theory in the sense that growing old involves a search for emotional wellbeing, which could lead to a reduction in the experience of negative emotions and consequently, a decreased understanding of them (e.g., Suzuki, et al, 2007). Nevertheless, there have been substantial data to the contrary that suggest that if anything increases in old age, it is the experience of negative events, at least in terms of illness and the death of loved ones, which lead emotions such as sadness to be experienced with greater intensity and frequency than in youth (e.g., Rodríguez-Testal, & Valdés, 2003). Charles (2005), to that effect, demonstrated that elderly participants experience a greater diversity and intensity of negative emotions than young people when watching films depicting different social injustices.…”