Predictors Of Depressive Symptomatology Research Articles

Health asymmetry as a predictor of depressive symptomatology over time among older European adults: A growth curve analysis

ObjectiveSubjective (SH) and objective health (OH) measures are associated with depressive symptomatology in older adults. We explored whether the discrepancy between SH and OH (operationalised as ‘health asymmetry’ with four categories: ‘health optimistic’, ‘health pessimistic’ and ‘good health realistic’ and ‘poor health realistic’) may also relate to depressive symptomatology 1) cross-sectionally, and 2) longitudinally, among older European adults. MethodsAdults (n = 26,520), aged 50+, from 11 European countries, were assessed over six waves of data collection (2006–2020) in the SHARE study. A hierarchical multi-level growth curve model explored whether health asymmetry was associated with depressive symptomology at baseline, and with depressive symptom trajectories across time, accounting for country of origin. ResultsAt baseline, 11.8% of older adults were classified as health pessimistic, with 15.5% being health optimistic, 42.9% being poor health realistic and 29.8% being good health realistic. A positive linear trend in depressive symptomatology was noted across 14 years of SHARE data (β = 0.11, p < .001). Health pessimists displayed higher levels of depressive symptoms than both health realistic groups and health optimists. However, health pessimists experienced a less steep increase in depressive symptoms across time (β = −0.10, p < .001), relative to good health realists. ConclusionHealth pessimists experience elevated levels of depressive symptoms, but show less growth in depressive symptomatology than expected. Further research is required to understand the underlying causes of the varying depressive symptom trajectories among these groups.

Neural response to social but not monetary reward predicts increases in depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prevalence of depressive symptoms has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among those with greater pandemic-related stress exposure; however, not all individuals exposed to pandemic stress will develop depression. Determining which individuals are vulnerable to depressive symptoms as a result of this stress could lead to an improved understanding of the etiology of depression. This study sought to determine whether neural sensitivity to monetary and/or social reward prospectively predicts depressive symptoms during periods of high stress. 121 participants attended pre-pandemic laboratory visits where they completed monetary and social reward tasks while electroencephalogram was recorded. Subsequently, from March to August 2020, we sent eight questionnaires probing depressive symptoms and exposure to pandemic-related stressors. Using repeated-measures multilevel models, we evaluated whether neural response to social or monetary reward predicted increases in depressive symptoms across the early course of the pandemic. Furthermore, we examined whether neural response to social or monetary reward moderated the association between pandemic-related episodic stressors and depressive symptoms. Pandemic-related stress exposure was strongly associated with depressive symptoms. Additionally, we found that blunted neural response to social but not monetary reward predicted increased depressive symptoms during the pandemic. However, neither neural response to social nor monetary reward moderated the association between episodic stress exposure and depressive symptoms. Our findings indicate that neural response to social reward may be a useful predictor of depressive symptomatology under times of chronic stress, particularly stress with a social dimension.

Polyvictimization and Depressive Symptomatology in Adolescents: Evaluation of the Role of School Social Climate

Abstract The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship between polyvictimization, school social climate, and depression in adolescents. Authors also looked at whether school social climate acts as a moderator of the interaction between polyvictimization and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, to have a deeper analysis, they included—as control variables—factors that have been shown in previous research to have an impact on depression, including age, gender discrimination, family support, and mood control. In total, 411 Chilean adolescents participated in the study from public (72.2 percent), semiprivate (17.4 percent), and private schools (10.4 percent). Four paper-based instruments were used to measure school social climate, depression, family support, and polyvictimization, and additional information was solicited with a sociodemographic data questionnaire. Regression analysis showed that both polyvictimization (β = .10, p = .03) and school social climate (β = –.10, p = .03) were predictors of depressive symptomatology. However, the interaction between polyvictimization and school social climate was not significant (β = .07, p = .73).

Role Centrality and Shared Activities With Grandchildren: Effects on Grandparent Depression

Research shows that physical and mental health are closely linked (Ohrnberger, Fichera, & Sutton, 2017). Further, social role theory states that holding and enacting valued roles, such as grandparenting, can buffer the negative effects of health on depression (Reitzes & Mutran, 2004). Using data from 247 grandparents (Mean age = 66.5; range 42 to 90 years; 46.2% grandfathers), we examined the differences between 164 custodial and 83 traditional grandparents on whether grandparent role centrality and engagement with grandchildren altered the effects of physical health on depression. The multigroup moderated moderation model was significant (X2(DF=30, N = 247) = 1610.78, p < .001; R2 = .797). We examined whether the paths were moderated by custodial status. Among custodial grandparents, role centrality (β = -.482**) and shared activities (β = -.493***) were significant predictors of depressive symptomatology. Moreover, the interaction between physical health and activities (β = .488***) and between physical health and role centrality (β = .522**) also accounted for significant variance among custodial grandparents. Custodial grandparents in poorer health who valued the grandparent role and those in poorer health who engaged with their grandchildren experienced fewer depressive symptoms. No such patterns were observed for traditional grandparents. Although we had anticipated that the interaction between role centrality and engagement with grandchildren would predict depressive symptoms, the interaction did not reach significance. Results are discussed in terms of the need to examine the differences of family/social contexts in grandparent populations.

Predictors of Depressive Symptomatology Among Hispanic First‐Year College Students

The authors examined whether perceptions of self‐esteem, coping self‐efficacy, and emotional intelligence could significantly predict the presence of depressive symptomatology among a sample of 146 Hispanic first‐year college students (53 men, 93 women). The results of a sequential multiple linear regression analysis indicated the 3 predictor variables contributed 43.3% of the variance noted in students’ reporting of depression symptoms through their Patient Health Questionnaire–9 (Spitzer et al., 1999) scores. The authors discuss implications for future research and provide recommendations for college counseling practice.

Living alone and depression: the modifying role of the perceived neighborhood environment

ABSTRACTObjective: Older adults who live alone are more likely to report feelings of depression than those who live with a spouse or other family members. This study examines the effects of residential status and perceived neighborhood characteristics on depression in middle-aged and older adults. Methods: This study is based on a probability sample of 1049 adults aged 55–98 years (M = 69 years) residing in Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA, USA in 2014. Thirty percent of participants reported living alone. We tested a multivariate model using living alone (vs. living with a family member or others) and perceived neighborhood physical and social quality as predictors of depressive symptomatology while controlling for age, sex, race, education, and disability. Results: Living alone (compared to living with a family member) was associated with elevated levels of depressive symptomatology. However, perceptions of neighborhood social quality moderated this association. Living alone was more highly associated with depression when the perceived social quality of the neighborhood was low. Neighborhood social quality was not associated with depression among older adults who lived with a family member. Perceptions of neighborhood physical quality were not significantly associated with depression. Conclusions: Perceptions of good neighborhood social quality is important for adults who live alone, in terms of fewer symptoms of depression.

The Expression of Depressive Symptomatology in Korean American Undergraduates: Sex and Generational Differences

This study examined the influence of acculturation and perception of the university environment on the depressive symptomatology of 228 Korean American undergraduates, with a focus on sex and generational differences. Perceptions of the university environment and perceived barriers were positive predictors of depressive symptomatology in respective regression equations by sex and generation. Study limitations and counseling practice implications are discussed.

Vulnerability to depression: A moderated mediation model of the roles of child maltreatment, peer victimization, and serotonin transporter linked polymorphic region genetic variation among children from low socioeconomic status backgrounds

Child maltreatment, peer victimization, and a polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR) were examined as predictors of depressive symptomatology. Children (M age = 11.26, SD = 1.65), including 156 maltreated and 145 nonmaltreated children from comparable low socioeconomic backgrounds, provided DNA samples and self-reports of relational peer victimization, overt peer victimization, and depressive symptoms. Path analysis showed that relational and overt victimization mediated the association between child maltreatment and depressive symptoms. Bootstrapping procedures were used to test moderated mediation and demonstrated that genotype moderated the indirect effects of relational and overt victimization on child depressive symptoms, such that victimized children with the long/long variation were at an increased risk for depressive symptoms compared to victimized children carrying a short allele. Results highlight the utility of examining process models that incorporate biological and psychological factors contributing to the development of depressive symptomatology and provide direction toward understanding and promoting resilience among high-risk youth from a multiple levels of analysis approach.

Working hours and depressive symptomatology among full-time employees: Results from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2009)

This study aimed to examine the distribution of working hours and the association between working hours and depressive symptomatology using representative data from a national, population-based survey. Data came from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2009), which employed a systematic, stratified cluster-sampling method. We used logistic regression procedures to estimate the importance of weekly working hours as a predictor of depressive symptomatology. The prevalence of depressive symptomatology was 10.2%. The work week, which averaged 48.3 hours for the sample as a whole, was longer for men (49.8 hours) than women (45.3 hours), and 12.1% of respondents were engaged in shift work. In logistic regression analyses, compared to those working < 52 hours per week, the odds ratios (OR) of working hours as a predictor of depressive symptomatology were 1.19 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.77-1.85] for those working 52-59 hours per week and 1.62 (95% CI 1.20-2.18) for those working ≥ 60 hours per week, after adjustment for demographic characteristics, health behaviors, socioeconomic status, employment status, and work schedules. It showed a positive dose-response relationship between working hours and depressive symptomatology (P = 0.0059). Working hours in Korea are long. There is an association between working hours and depressive symptomatology, and there seems be a trend in working hours and depressive symptomatology.

Predictors of Depressive Symptomatology Among Rural Stimulant Users

This study examined sociodemographic and drug-related predictors of depressive symptoms among a rural, multistate sample of not-in-treatment stimulant drug users (n = 710). Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling in Ohio, Arkansas, and Kentucky. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to measure symptoms of depression. Moderate to severe depressive symptomatology was reported by 43.0% of the sample. Cumulative logistic regression analysis showed that daily and nondaily crack use as well as the daily use of cocaine HCI increased the odds of depressive symptoms. Methamphetamine use had no significant association with depression. The daily use of marijuana, the illicit use of tranquilizers, light/moderate cigarette smoking, and injection drug use also increased the risk of depressive symptoms. Living in Kentucky or Ohio (compared to Arkansas), having unstable living arrangements, and being White, female, and older were related to higher odds of depressive symptoms. These results suggest that a host of drug and nondrug factors need to be considered when addressing depressive symptoms in stimulant users.

Proximal Predictors of Depressive Symptomatology: Perceived Losses in Self-Worth and Interpersonal Domains and Introjective and Anaclitic Mood States

Although much research has demonstrated a relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms, relatively little research has examined the mechanisms that may mediate this relationship. The theories of Blatt (1974), Bowlby (1980), and Gilbert (1992) each propose proximal predictors of depression. In accordance with these theories, this study examined the relationships among perceived losses in self-worth and interpersonal relationships, anaclitic (dependent) and introjective (self-critical) mood states, and depressive symptoms following a significant negative life event. A sample of 172 undergraduate students completed measures of depressive symptoms and depressive vulnerability factors and retrospectively described the worst period of their lives. They also rated the extent to which the events surrounding this worst period affected their self-worth and their relationships with close others. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that the effect of a perceived loss of self-worth on depressive symptoms was fully mediated by both introjective and anaclitic mood states, whereas the effect of a perceived loss of interpersonal relationships on depressive symptoms was fully mediated by an anaclitic mood state. Additionally, perceived losses of self-worth showed a stronger effect on introjective mood in highly self-critical individuals. Findings highlight the importance of perceived losses in both self-worth and interpersonal domains in response to adverse life events and suggest pathways through which perceived losses may affect depressive symptoms.

Predictors of Depressive Symptomatology in Family Caregivers of Women With Substance Use Disorders or Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders

This study utilized a stress-process model to examine the impact of having a female family member with substance use or co-occurring substance use and mental disorders on family caregivers' depressive symptomatology. Participants were 82 women receiving substance abuse treatment and the family member providing the most social support for each woman. Greater caregiver depressive symptomatology was predicted by greater care recipient emotional problems, less care recipient social support, and poor caregiver health. Implications of findings for treatment and future research are discussed.

Predictors of depressive symptomatology among low-income adolescent mothers

Predictors of depressive symptomatology among low-income teen mothers (N = 751) were explored. Younger teen mothers were not more depressed than older teen mothers. There was a significant interaction effect for partner status and ethnicity. For African-Americans, partnered teen mothers were more likely than non-partnered teen mothers to be depressed. For Latinas, partnered teen mothers were less likely than non-partnered teen mothers to be depressed. Future research should be conducted to examine how ethnicity interacts with predictors of depression.

DB2 SELF REPORTED PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN AN ELDERLY POPULATION WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

DB2 SELF REPORTED PREDICTORS OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN AN ELDERLY POPULATION WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS Balkrishnan R, Pawaskar MD,Anderson RT The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy, Columbus, OH, USA, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA OBJECTIVE: Depression is a recurrent and chronic disorder among elderly patients with chronic medical conditions. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of depressive symptomatology in elderly population with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted by administering a health status assessment questionnaire to nearly 1000 older adults (≥65 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the southern United States (Response rate: approximately 85%). The instrument collected information related to demographics, general health status, clinical conditions, medication use, lifestyle, functional status and prior health care service utilization. The Short Form Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale was used to assess depressive symptoms. Partial correlations and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using the linked survey and health care claims data. RESULTS: Of the 885 respondents, about 17% had depressive symptoms. Most participants (60%) were women with mean age of 71 (±8.7) years. Almost 96.7% of patients were using 1 or more antidiabetic medications. Overall, higher general health status was associated with lower level of depression (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.23–0.61). However, impairments in daily activities were associated with higher depression (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.08–1.44). When categorized by type of antidiabetic therapy based on actual prescription claims data, we found that increased number of prescriptions was associated with higher risk of depressive symptoms (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.05–5.44) in patients on insulin compared to those other therapies. In addition, higher risk of depressive symptoms was associated with self reported number of falls (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.1–4.28), and emergency room visits (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.11–2.22) in the previous year in patients on sulphonyl ureas. CONCLUSION: General health status and impairments in daily activities were predictors of depressive symptomatology in elderly with diabetes. Determinants of depression varied according to pharmacotherapeutic class of antidiabetic medications.

Stress, coping, and depressive symptomatology in Latina and Anglo aids caregivers

In a survey of 432 AIDS caregivers, we examined differences in the stress and coping process and predictors of depressive symptomatology by ethnicity and gender. Our sample included 192 Anglo gay and bisexual male partners, 86 Anglo women, and 154 Latina family caregivers. We examined differences in primary and secondary stressors as predictors of depression; differences in sociodemographic and background factors, and differences in the predictive value and mediating influences of factors that may attenuate the relationship between stress and depression. Results indicate substantial differences in predictors and mediators of depression across groups. While all groups evidenced moderate levels of depression, background factors influenced depression mostly for Latinas. Depression in gay and bisexual partners was more influenced by primary objective stressors such as assisting with activities of daily living (ADLs). Service acquisition appears to be shaped by access, knowledge, and cultural acceptance. Based on our findings, we suggest that service provision for caregivers must also vary and be attuned to cultural and gender differences that may influence perception of stress and depression for caregivers.

Stress and depression among HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay and bisexual AIDS caregivers.

From a survey of 416 gay and bisexual male AIDS caregivers, we examined differences in the stress process and predictors of depressive symptomatology by caregivers' HIV serostatus (n=164 HIV-positive and n=252 HIV-negative). Results indicate that HIV-positive caregivers reported higher levels of depressive symptomatology than those who were HIV-negative. Parallel regression analyses revealed that a younger age, role-related stress, and low self-esteem were common predictors of depressive symptomatology for both groups. Group-specific predictors of depression for the HIV-positive caregivers were poorer health and financial concerns. In contrast, the group-specific predictor for the HIV-negative caregivers was higher stress associated with direct acts of caregiving. These results suggest that in order to stem depressive symptomatology, gay and bisexual male caregivers need support directed at reducing stress stemming from their role as caregivers as well as services designed to address low self-esteem. In addition, serostatus should be taken into account when designing service plans because seropositive and seronegative caregivers may require different supportive services.

Family and Neighborhood Violence: Predictors of Depressive Symptomatology among Incarcerated Youth

This study surveyed 178 children incarcerated in training schools in North Carolina to estimate the proportion of children who had been witnesses to or victims of neighborhood and family violence, the children's levels of depressive symptoms, and relationships between violence exposure and depressive symptoms. Neighborhood violence was assessed using questions adapted from Richters and Martinez, family violence was assessed using questions from the Conflict Tactics Scales, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Children's Depression Inventory. Results showed that the majority of children reported having been exposed to neighborhood and family violence. Children evidenced high levels of depressive symptoms with more than 70% showing clinically relevant levels of symptomatology. Multiple linear regression procedures found that both neighborhood and family violence were predictive of the levels of depressive symptoms. These findings underline the need to provide highquality therapeutic services to children during incarceration in training schools and after their discharge.

Anxious attachment and self-reported depressive symptomatology in women.

Lack of intimacy has been identified as an important provoking agent that increases the risk of depressive symptoms in women. This study precisely characterized lack of intimacy by assessing a woman's attachment style and investigated the specificity of association between depressive symptoms and an anxious attachment pattern. Four hundred and twenty women participated in this cross-sectional study of depressive symptomatology and anxious attachment. All participants completed the following measures: a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), the Reciprocal Attachment Questionnaire, the Social Support Questionnaire, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Global Assessment of Recent Stress Scale. A score of 16 or above on the CES-D, which indicates the presence of depressive symptoms, was used to divide the sample into 2 groups: a depressed group (N = 129) and a nondepressed group (N = 291). We found that women in the depressive symptomatology group were more likely than women in the nondepressive symptomatology group to exhibit anxious attachment and adverse social and cognitive characteristics. Lower levels of self-esteem and higher levels of recent stress were also predictive of depressive symptomatology. Feared loss of the attachment figure and a lack of use of the attachment figure were independent predictors of depressive symptomatology in the same model. The feared loss of security associated with an attachment figure seems to be related to an increased likelihood of depressive symptoms.

Predictors of depressive symptomatology among parents of newly diagnosed children with cancer.

Examined predictors of depressive symptoms among 59 parents providing primary care to children newly diagnosed with cancer. Parents were studied for a 3-month period. The parent providing primary care to the child during medical treatment completed measures of depressive symptoms, endorsement of family routines, family functioning, amount of assistance from the spouse in providing care to the child, child behavior problems, as well as measures of the severity of the child's treatment regimen. A strong relationship was found between child behavior problems and parent depressive symptomatology. Although disease-related factors such as the child's functional impairment played a role in the parent's depressive symptoms, results revealed that the child's behavior problems were most strongly associated with parent depressive symptoms and that family cohesiveness also had a contributory role in the maintenance of parent depressive symptoms.

Social Support and Depression After Cardiac Surgery in Elderly Patients

Two methods of measuring social support components were compared for their ability to predict depression 6 months after cardiac surgery in older patients (N = 155). Multiple regression models were used to compare summary support measures with subtype measures. A personality inventory was also included to rule out the possibility that significant findings about relationships of depression and social support were due primarily to personality dimensions. In the summary model, only the number of network members seen regularly was associated with less depression. In the subtype model, the number of relatives seen regularly and perceived adequacy of support from friends were associated with less depression, whereas receipt of tangible support was associated with more. When examined together with personality dimensions, both the summary components and subtypes of components of social support were better predictors of depressive symptomatology than the personality dimensions. The results helped confirm the importance of social support factors to the occurrence of depression in elderly patients and suggested that measures of social support subtypes were more informative than summary measures of social support.