The increase of age is related with high concerns of cognitive decline and depression which frequently influence each other in both directions. The objective of the current study is the assessment of the cognitive status and the symptoms indicating depression the older adults, in order to evaluate a structural model that subjective cognitive complaints mediate the relationship between objective cognitive performance and depression.
The current study, cross-sectional in nature, was carried out with 140 community-dwelling senior adults (63.38 ± 7.22 years). Participants were assessed by using three standardized instruments: Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMT) for objective cognitive performance, the Persian Cognitive Difficulties Scale (PCDS-26) for subjective cognitive complaints, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) for depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed by the use of SEM (Structural Equation Modeling), together with diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimation to test a partial mediation hypothesis. The finalized model fit was assessed using χ²/df, CFI, TLI, and RMSEA.
The structural model resulted in very impressive goodness-of-fit indices (χ²/df = 1.102, CFI = 0.996, RMSEA = 0.027). The analysis revealed that objective cognitive performance has a remarkable direct negative impact on depressive symptoms (β = -0.289,
p
= 0.001). Furthermore, a significant indirect pathway was also identified (β = -0.108): higher objective cognitive performance was associated with fewer subjective cognitive complaints (β = -0.201), which in turn strongly predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms (β = 0.534). The total effect of objective cognition on depression was β = -0.397.
The findings confirm that better objective cognition is linked to fewer subjective complaints and lower depression, with subjective perceptions partially mediating this relationship. This finding highlights the potential relevance of metacognitive awareness to late-life mental health. Clinically, screening for subjective cognitive complaints may help identify older adults with elevated depressive symptoms who could benefit from further assessment and appropriate interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Therefore, clinicians should integrate assessments of subjective cognitive difficulties into routine depression screenings to provide more holistic geriatric care.
Not applicable. We clarify that this research employed a cross‑sectional design, with all data gathered and analyzed at one single time point. Therefore, the study does not constitute a clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive decline involves a progressive loss of higher mental functions and may lead to impairment of independence in daily activities. Depressive symptoms represent a potential factor that can worsen functional decline.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of depressive symptoms on basic and instrumental autonomy in patients with cognitive decline.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 148 patients attending the Neuropsychology Clinic of the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo. Patients were divided into two groups with and without depressive symptoms according to the Geriatric Depression Scale. The Milan Overall Dementia Assessment (MODA), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were administered. Between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and permutation-based regression analysis, controlling for age, sex, and MODA. Correlations were assessed using Spearman's rho coefficient.
RESULTS
Patients with depressive symptoms showed lower ADL and IADL scores compared with those without depressive symptoms. These differences remained significant after adjustment for demographic and cognitive variables. The severity of depressive symptoms were strongly associated with reduced functional autonomy.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis and targeted interventions for depressive symptoms to improve patient management in everyday life. Clinical trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT07287410.
Irene Cappadona, Maria Pagano, Anna Anselmo et al.· Neurodegenerative Disease Ma...· 0 citations
Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between educational attainment and depressive symptoms among young-old adults aged 60–74 years, and to examine the mediating effect of self-reported memory function between them, so as to provide a reference for the early screening and intervention of depressive symptom severity in this population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, and data were derived from the 2022 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). After data cleaning, 3666 valid samples were included. Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 8) (Cronbach’s α = 0.771, Guttman Split-Half Coefficient = 0.742), with a total score ≥ 9 defined as probable depression. Self-reported memory function was measured using a single item (scored 0–4), with higher scores indicating better perceived memory, and was treated as a continuous variable for analysis. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were performed using R software (version 4.2.3). The mediation effect was tested using the product-of-coefficients method combined with the bootstrap method (5000 resamples), supplemented by a quasi-Bayesian model and multiple sensitivity analyses (including outcome variable substitution and model diagnostic corrections) for robustness testing. Results: Among the study participants, the prevalence of probable depression was 25.18%. Correlation analyses showed that educational attainment was significantly negatively correlated with depressive symptom severity (r = −0.177, p < 0.001) and significantly positively correlated with self-reported memory function (r = 0.241, p < 0.001). Self-reported memory function was significantly negatively correlated with depressive symptom severity (r = −0.223, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, gender, place of residence, subjective income, self-rated health, and chronic disease status, mediation analysis showed that the direct effect of educational attainment on depressive symptom severity was −0.297 (95% CI: −0.424 to −0.174), while the indirect effect via self-reported memory function was −0.109 (95% CI: −0.139 to −0.082). The direct and indirect effects accounted for 73.20% and 26.80% of the total effect, respectively; the results of the quasi-Bayesian analysis and multiple sensitivity analyses were consistent in direction, further validating the stability of this mediation effect. Conclusions: Among young-old adults aged 60–74 years, self-reported memory function plays a partial statistical mediating role in the association between educational attainment and depressive symptom severity. This suggests that strengthening attention to memory status and early screening among individuals with lower educational attainment may offer a potential intervention approach for alleviating depressive symptom severity in this population in the future.
Bei-Fen Pan, Pu Ge, Ru-Ge Liu et al.· Behavioral Science· 0 citations
The rapid growth of the elderly population has emerged as one of the most significant demographic transitions of the twenty-first century, accompanied by increasing concerns regarding age-related cognitive decline and sleep disturbances. The present empirical study examined gender differences in cognitive impairment and sleep difficulties among elderly adults and explored the relationship between sleep quality and cognitive functioning. A quantitative cross-sectional comparative research design was employed. The study included 63 elderly participants comprising 21 males and 42 females. Cognitive functioning was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Shapiro Wilk tests of normality, independent-samples t-tests, prevalence analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and Cohen's d effect-size estimation. Findings revealed no statistically significant gender differences in either cognitive functioning or sleep quality. However, prevalence analysis indicated that a greater proportion of males exhibited Mild Cognitive Impairment compared to females. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a weak negative association between sleep quality and cognitive functioning, although this relationship was not statistically significant. The findings contribute to the growing body of evidence emphasizing the importance of routine cognitive and sleep assessments among older adults. Early identification of sleep disturbances and cognitive decline may facilitate timely intervention and promote healthy ageing.
Unknown authors· Genetics and Molecular Resea...· 0 citations
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, underscore the need for integrated strategies to promote mental health and purpose in life in aging populations.
T. Vasconcellos, G. Cipolli, V. Campos et al.· Geriatrics Gerontology and A...· 0 citations
Sleep deprivation, as well as different types of social engagement, physical activity, physical activity, and digital behavior, exhibit distinct associations with depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults in China.
Shu Wang, Y. Shirayama, Ishtiaq Ahmad et al.· Behavioral Science· 0 citations
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between lower limb strength and symptoms of anxiety and depression in communitydwelling older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 99 community-dwelling older adults (69.5±6.6 years; 81.8% women) assessed between 2021 and 2023 in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Inclusion criteria were age ≥60 years, independent mobility, and medical clearance. Participants were excluded if they had uncontrolled chronic or cardiovascular diseases, a history of stroke, unmanaged neurodegenerative disorders, active psychiatric comorbidities that could interfere with psychological assessments, or musculoskeletal injuries preventing safe participation in testing. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory and Geriatric Depression Scale. Lower limb strength was measured using the 30-Second Chair Stand test and classified according to age- and sex-specific normative values. RESULTS: Participants with below-average lower limb strength had higher odds of anxiety symptoms (OR 10.90; 95%CI 1.97–60.33; p=0.006). Lower limb strength was also associated with depressive symptoms, although with a smaller effect size (OR 3.96; 95%CI 1.06–14.74; p=0.040). Age was positively associated with anxiety (p=0.019), while no significant associations were observed for sex. CONCLUSION: The 30-Second Chair Stand test may have potential as a complementary screening indicator to identify older adults at elevated psychosocial risk.
Poliany Pereira Cruz, R. D. de Sousa, L. Felício et al.· Revista da Associação Médica...· 0 citations
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