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The impact of depressive symptomatology on physical disability: MacArthur studies of successful aging

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  • Bruce, M.L.
  • Seeman, T.E.
  • Merrill, S.S.
  • Blazer, D.G.

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of these analyses was to test the hypothesis that depressive symptomatology affects the risk of onset of physical disability in high-functioning elderly adults. Methods. The data come from the MacArthur Study of Successful Aging, a community-based cohort of high-functioning adults aged 70 through 79 years who were assessed twice at a 2.5-year interval. Physical and cognitive status was assessed by performance as well as by self-report measures. Results. In gender-stratified logistic regression models, high depressive symptoms as measured by the depression subscale of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist were associated with an increased risk of onset of disability in activities of daily living for both men and women, adjusting for baseline sociodemographic factors, physical health status, and cognitive functioning. Conclusions. Joined with evidence that physical disability is a potential risk factor for depression, these findings suggest that both depressive symptoms and physical disability can initiate a spiralling decline in physical and psychological health. Given the important impact of activities-of-daily-living functioning on utilization of medical services and quality of life, prevention or reduction of depressive symptoms should be considered an important point of intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruce, M.L. & Seeman, T.E. & Merrill, S.S. & Blazer, D.G., 1994. "The impact of depressive symptomatology on physical disability: MacArthur studies of successful aging," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 84(11), pages 1796-1799.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1994:84:11:1796-1799_5
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    Cited by:

    1. McQuoid, Julia, 2017. "Finding joy in poor health: The leisure-scapes of chronic illness," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 88-96.
    2. Ai Nakano, 2014. "The Relationship between Mental Health and Self-rated Health in Older Adults," Discussion Papers 1423, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.
    3. Urvashi Jain & Mingming Ma, 2024. "Together in sickness and in health: Spillover of physical, mental, and cognitive health among older English couples," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(9), pages 1989-2012, September.
    4. Berta Ausín & Alba Zamorano & Manuel Muñoz, 2020. "Relationship between Quality of Life and Sociodemographic, Physical and Mental Health Variables in People over 65 in the Community of Madrid," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-11, November.
    5. Ma, Mingming, 2019. "Does children's education matter for parents’ health and cognition? Evidence from China," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 222-240.
    6. Tomey, Kristin & Sowers, MaryFran R. & Harlow, Sioban & Jannausch, Mary & Zheng, Huiyong & Bromberger, Joyce, 2010. "Physical functioning among mid-life women: Associations with trajectory of depressive symptoms," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(7), pages 1259-1267, October.
    7. Szu-Ching Shen & Kuang-Hua Huang & Pei-Tseng Kung & Li-Ting Chiu & Wen-Chen Tsai, 2017. "Incidence, risk, and associated factors of depression in adults with physical and sensory disabilities: A nationwide population-based study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, March.

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