Cognitive coping and depressive symptoms in the elderly: a longitudinal study.

Full Abstract

The objective of the present longitudinal study was to examine the relationship between cognitive coping strategies and depressive symptoms at old age. At the two and a half year follow-up study, a community sample of 99 people aged 67 years and older filled out a self-report questionnaire comprising the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and a negative life events checklist. Cognitive coping strategies seemed to play an important role in relation to depressive symptoms in late life. Elderly persons with more depressive symptoms reported to use acceptance, rumination and catastrophizing to a significantly higher extent and positive reappraisal to a significantly lower extent than those with lower depression scores. After controlling for negative life events and prior depressive symptoms, acceptance and positive reappraisal retained their significant relationship with current depressive symptoms. It is suggested that intervention programs should pay attention to these aspects by challenging the 'maladaptive' strategies, and by supplying the more 'adaptive' strategies. This could be linked to the well-established cognitive therapies.

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Author information

Author/s: Kraaij, V (V); Pruymboom, E (E); Garnefski, N (N);

Affiliation: Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. Kraaij(-atsign-)fsw.LeidenUniv.nl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Aging & mental health (Aging Ment Health), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Aug; vol 6 (issue 3) : pp 275-81

Dates: Created 2002/09/09; Completed 2002/10/29; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 12217096, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Activities of Daily Living - psychology
Adaptation, Psychological
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging - psychology
Cognitive Therapy
Defense Mechanisms

Depression - diagnosis; psychology
Female
Humans
Life Change Events
Male
Problem Solving
Social Environment

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