Disability and Treatment Outcomes for Anxiety and Depression in Older Veterans

Abstract

The present study examined the impact of disability on mental health outcomes in older Veterans referred to an interdisciplinary geriatric mental health team for assessment and treatment of anxiety or depression or both. Thirty-five Veterans (age, M = 81.2 years, SD = 7.4) completed one or more psychotherapy sessions and pre- and post-treatment assessments of anxiety, depression, and disability. Pre-treatment disability did not predict anxiety or depression treatment response in hierarchical linear regression models. However, change in disability predicted both anxiety and depression treatment response. Specifically, decreased disability was associated with decreased anxiety and depression symptoms at post-treatment. Anxiety and depression treatment response also predicted change in disability such that decreased anxiety and depression symptoms were associated with less disability at post-treatment. The present study provides preliminary evidence that change in disability during treatment may have an effect on, and may also be a function of, treatment outcomes in older Veterans.