Six-Month Depression Trajectories in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Florida

Objectives: This research aimed to: 1) describe trajectories of older adults’ depressive symptoms over a six-month period; and 2) examine baseline predictors of trajectories. Innovations include monthly assessments, examination of non-linear trajectories, and inclusion of coping styles as predictors.

Method: Data were derived from a six-month longitudinal study of 144 community-dwelling older adults with depressive symptoms (Short-Geriatric Depression Scale [S-GDS] ≥ 5) with seven waves of data. Descriptive analyses and individual growth curve modeling were conducted.

Results: Regarding Aim 1, the majority of participants changed symptom levels over time; most participants with severe symptoms at baseline remained at least mildly depressed at six months. Regarding Aim 2, younger participants were more depressed at baseline and improved slightly more than older participants. Those who used more active and emotional support coping had faster improvement and maintained gains, whereas those who used less of these coping styles demonstrated worse symptoms and more fluctuations over time.

Discussion: It may be beneficial to target interventions to older adults with more severe depressive symptoms and who display low levels of active and emotional support coping. Behavioral interventions that improve these coping styles may help depressed older adults recover and maintain treatment gains over time.