Associations between depressive symptoms and subjective cognitive decline among diverse hispanics/latinos: Results from the study of Latinos-investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA)

Depressive symptoms and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are commonly reported prior to cognitive impairment. We examined associations between depressive symptoms and SCD among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults to better understand how depressive symptoms should be considered when interpreting SCD. This cross-sectional study utilized data from Hispanic/Latino adults [n = 6189; Age: M= 63.4 years, SD= 8.2; 55 % female; 40.5 % reported more than high school education] from the Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging (SOL-INCA). Higher depressive symptoms were associated with worse global (β=0.37, SE=0.02) and domain-specific SCD (Memory: β=0.32, SE=0.02; Visual-Spatial Planning: β=0.27, SE=0.02; Executive Function: β=0.34, SE=0.02; ps < 0.001). These associations were significantly stronger for individuals with low cognitive status and current cognitive worry. These findings underscore the importance of assessing depressive symptoms in relation to SCD among diverse Hispanics/Latinos, especially among individuals with current cognitive worry and suspected cognitive impairment.