Personality: A moderator of the relation between cognitive functioning and depression in adults aged 55–85?

Previous studies found modest associations between cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms in community samples of older adults. Low levels of cognitive functioning are associated with depressive symptoms. The present study investigates whether personality (locus of control and neuroticism) mo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of affective disorders 1996-12, Vol.41 (3), p.229-240
Main Authors: van den Heuvel, Nelleke, Smits, Carolien H.M., Deeg, Dorly J.H., Beekman, Aartjan T.F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Biological and medical sciences
Cognition Disorders - diagnosis
Cognition Disorders - psychology
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Dementia - diagnosis
Dementia - psychology
Depression
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Female
Gender Identity
Geriatrics
Humans
Internal-External Control
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Medical sciences
Mental Status Schedule
Middle Aged
Netherlands
Personality
Personality Assessment
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Sick Role
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Summary:Previous studies found modest associations between cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms in community samples of older adults. Low levels of cognitive functioning are associated with depressive symptoms. The present study investigates whether personality (locus of control and neuroticism) moderates this relation, and whether gender-differences in moderating effects can be established. The study is based on data of the baseline sample of 3107 participants of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), which was age (55–85 years) and sex-stratified. Multiple regression analyses are used to detect moderating effects. The findings show modest effects, indicating that personality is a moderator of the relation between cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms, particularly in women. In women, a relatively strong internal locus of control is protective of becoming depressed when experiencing impairment in general cognitive functioning (MMSE), and impairment in fluid intelligence and information processing speed. In men, a low level of neuroticism is protective of becoming depressed when experiencing memory impairment. If these findings are replicated and extended in future studies, pertinent interventions such as cognitive therapy or memory training may be designed to alleviate depressive symptoms.
ISSN:0165-0327
1573-2517
DOI:10.1016/S0165-0327(96)00088-2