Association between purpose in life and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in community-dwelling older adults: FAPRE study data
Objective: To investigate the association between purpose in life (PIL) and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 446 community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years) in Patos de Minas, Brazil. PIL was assessed using the 10-item subscale of the Purpose in Life Scale. Depression, anxiety, and stress (primary independent variables) were measured using the DASS-21. Self-perceived health, sex, age, and educational attainment were included as control variables in the regression models. Group comparison tests and Poisson regression with robust variance were applied, adopting a 5% level of statistical significance. Results: Participants with moderate to severe symptoms of depression (PR 1.99; 95% CI 1.40 – 2.83), anxiety (PR 1.71; 95% CI 1.20 – 2.45), and stress (PR 1.43; 95% CI 1.00 – 2.05) had a higher risk of low PIL. Negative self-rated health was also associated with this risk (PR 1.47; 95% CI 1.05 – 2.05), whereas higher educational attainment was associated with a lower risk (PR 0.48; 95% CI 0.23 – 0.88). Conclusions: PIL in older adults was negatively associated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, even after controlling for sociodemographic variables and subjective health perception. These findings underscore the need for integrated strategies to promote mental health and purpose in life in aging populations.