Journal
GERONTOLOGIST
Volume 63, Issue 8, Pages 1365-1375Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnac186
Keywords
Depression; Expectations regarding aging; Multimorbidity; Social support
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This study explored the relationship between disease-related stressors and depressive symptoms, as well as the moderating effects of contextual factors such as age, expectations regarding aging, perceived social support, and difficulty affording medications. The findings showed a significant association between disease-related stressors and depressive symptoms, with a stronger effect among individuals with low social support and negative expectations for aging.
Background and Objectives Among older adults, depressive symptoms increase with each chronic illness; however, specific disease-related stressors (e.g., pain) and contextual moderators (interpersonal, sociocultural, temporal) of this relationship remain understudied. We explored disease-related stressors associated with depressive symptoms and moderating effects of contextual factors on this relationship, guided by a social ecological framework. Research Design and Methods Adults >= 62 years with multimorbidity (n = 366) completed validated scales assessing diagnoses, disease-related stressors (pain intensity, subjective cognitive function, physical function, somatic symptoms), and depressive symptoms. Moderators included age, expectations regarding aging, perceived social support, and difficulty affording medications. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results Participants were 62-88 years old, with several comorbidities (M = 3.5; range: 2-9). As hypothesized, disease-related stressors were associated with depressive symptoms (b = 0.64, SE = 0.04, p < .001). The effect of disease-related stressors on depressive symptoms was greater among those reporting low social support (B = 0.70, SE = 0.06, p < .001) than for those reporting high social support (B = 0.46, SE = 0.06, p < .001). The negative effect of disease-related stressors on depressive symptoms was stronger for those with poorer expectations of aging (B = 0.68, SE = 0.07, p < .001), compared to those with more positive expectations (B = 0.47, SE = 0.06, p < .001). Age and difficulties affording medications were not significant moderators. Discussion and Implications Garnering social support and addressing low expectations for aging may prevent the detrimental effect of multimorbidity on mental health.
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