Age differences in the pain-depression link for women with osteoarthritis - Functional impairment and personal control as mediators

Purpose. This study examines functional impairment and personal control as mediators between pain and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older women with osteoarthritis (OA). Method. Ninety-nine middle-aged and older women with OA completed face-to-face interviews to assess pain, functional impairment, personal control, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health. Results. Controlling for self-rated health, functional impairment mediated the relationship between pain and depressive symptoms for middle-age women but not for older women. Alternately, personal control was a mediator for older women but not for middle-aged women. Conclusions. Functional limitations at least partially explain the relationship between pain and depression for middle-aged women who are juggling many roles and do not expect trouble with daily activities. For older women, functional limitations are expected, but personal control becomes more important. Implications for intervention are discussed.