The Relationship between Age and Affective Reactivity in Depressed and Healthy Females Across the Lifespan

Jackie Gollan

doi:10.4172/2167-1044.s1-004

Abstract

Objective: Depression-related differences in processing emotional information have been observed in prior research, though the influence of age upon affective reactivity of negative, neutral, and positive stimuli may partially explain these differences. We examined the extent to which age influences affective reactivity to positive, neutral, and negative stimuli in depressed and healthy participants. Methods: The study enrolled 129 right-handed females between 16 to 63 years old who met either DSM-IV criteria for current, medication-free Major Depressive Disorder (n=59) or no current or lifetime diagnoses (n=70). All participants completed a structured clinical interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders, a clinical interview to determine depression severity, and an affective reactivity task. Results: There were no significant main effects of depression status or interaction effects between depression status and age on ratings of positive, negative, and neutral stimuli. Additionally, there was no significant main effect of age on ratings of positive stimuli. However, there were main effects of age on ratings of negative and neutral stimuli suggesting that depressed and healthy participants differed in their evaluation of negative and neutral information as a function of age. Specifically, participants rated neutral information as more positive over the lifespan, and negative information as less negative across the lifespan. Conclusion: Reactions to neutral information appear to become more positive with older age and reactions to negative information appear to decline with age unrelated to depression status.

Highlights

Research suggests that aging accompanies changes of emotional responses, with greater responsiveness to positive and neutral information [1] and decreased reactivity to negative information [2]
This study investigated the extent to which there were differences in the evaluation of negative, neutral, and positive stimuli as a function of age and depression status
If age is related to a greater likelihood of approaching, thinking about, and interacting with positive stimuli, these stimuli may be better recalled as demonstrated in prior research [24,25]

Summary

Introduction

Research suggests that aging accompanies changes of emotional responses, with greater responsiveness to positive and neutral information [1] and decreased reactivity to negative information [2]. Carstensen et al [1] reported that, at least until very late in life, healthy older adults report lower levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of subjective well-being. These findings are surprising because old age is stigmatized as a time of practical and health complications, and cognitive declines are evident in older adults [3], suggesting vulnerability to emotional disorders. Five percent of the United States population between 65-69 years of age show moderate or severe memory impairment and 32% of those 85 years and older show moderate or severe memory impairment [8]

Methods

Results

Conclusion