Positive and negative mood in the elderly: the ZENITH study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the quality of positive and negative affect (mood) in an ageing European sample. Background: Mood quality has important implications for both physical and mental wellbeing. Poor quality moods are associated with deficits in the diverse areas of cognitive function, health, and social relationships. The ageing process presents a number of potential challenges to successful mood regulation that could have wider implications. Design and participants: The current study examines the quality of positive and negative affect in 387 healthy participants from three European countries. Moods were measured four times a day for 4-7 d with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) mood scales. Measures of zinc (Zn) status were taken also. Setting: Two centres concentrated on 55-70 yr olds (Coleraine, N.Ireland, n ¼ 93 and Clermont-Ferrand, France, n ¼ 95), and two centres concentrated on 70-87 yr olds (Rome, Italy, n ¼ 108, and Grenoble, France, n ¼ 91). Results: Positive affect scores for the centre in Rome were significantly (Po0.01) lower than for the other three centres, and the Grenoble centre had significantly (Po0.05) higher scores on negative affect than the other three centres. Mood was not related to measures of zinc status (all Ps40.05). Conclusions: The two centres with the oldest participants showed deficits in mood quality that may have implications for broader well-being.

Zinc status, psychological and nutritional assessment in old people recruited in five European countries: Zincage study

“…The results are more evident when the zinc status indicates a deficiency of this trace element. In agreement with previous findings, which indicated that zinc is of benefit for psychological aspects in older adults Simpson et al 2005;McConville et al 2005), significant differences in zinc status and psychological dimensions were found among the five Countries herein considered.…”

Role of zinc in maternal and child mental health

“…Among women, lower serum zinc concentrations have been associated with the severity of postpartum depressive symptoms (57). However, another study in an aging European sample found no association between mood and zinc status; zinc status was within the normal range, which suggests that the potential influence of zinc on mood may be small and undetectable when zinc status is within normal limits (61). Lower plasma zinc concentrations were related to poorer results for several psychological variables, including measures of cognitive status, mood, and perceived stress, especially in areas with low zinc intakes and a limited variety of foods containing zinc (58,59).…”

Introduction to the ZENITH study and summary of baseline results

“…It has, however, identified two exceptions to this trend among older participants in Italy and France. If nutritional supplementation is important for mood regulation, these two exceptions should provide good tests of efficacy (McConville et al, 2005).…”