Self-Perceptions of Aging Mediate the Associations of 12-Year Change in Depressive Symptoms With Life Satisfaction and Disability

Background This study estimates the associations of 12-year change in depressive symptoms with follow-up Self-Perceptions of Aging (SPAs), life satisfaction, and disability; and tests whether SPAs mediate the associations of change in depressive symptoms with follow-up life satisfaction and disability. Methods Participants were 174 Australian older adults (Mean age = 87.41). Measures used were the Geriatric Depression Scale; the informant-rated World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule; the Diener Satisfaction with Life Scale; and the Laidlaw’ Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire (assessing SPAs). Results In adjusted linear regression models, greater 12-year increase in depressive symptoms was associated with more negative SPAs (β= +0.41; p < .001), lower life satisfaction (β= +0.30; p < .001), and greater disability (β= +0.26; p = .001). In structural equation models, SPAs partially mediated the association of change in depressive symptoms with follow-up life satisfaction and disability. Conclusions Negative SPAs may be one of the reasons why depression in very old age contributes to lower life satisfaction and disability. Hence, strategies aiming to decrease negative SPAs, such as psychoeducational interventions, could help preventing depressive symptoms in very old age.