Association between patterns of self-disclosure and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older females in Japan

Background: Depressive symptoms are prevalent among older females, and social factors such as self-disclosure may play an important role in early detection and prevention. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between patterns of self-disclosure and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older females in Japan. Methods: A total of 209 females aged ≥65 in Japan answered a mailed self-administered questionnaire in 2021. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Self-disclosure to “family members” and “friends/acquaintances” was assessed using the Self-Disclosure Self-Assessment Scale for Older Adults, which measured 10 contents of self-disclosure. Results: Decision tree analysis identified four groups, each indicating a pattern of self-disclosure associated with depressive symptoms. Low self-disclosure about “motivation and strengths in life” and “experiences of work and social activities” was associated with the highest mean GDS score for self-disclosure to family members. Low self-disclosure about “future outlook” and experience of self-disclosure about “concern about cognitive function” were associated with the highest mean GDS score for self-disclosure to friends/acquaintances. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant association between depression and self-disclosure in both groups compared to the self-disclosure pattern of the lowest depressive symptoms, even after adjustment for covariates. Conclusion: This study revealed patterns of self-disclosure with high depressive symptoms. Recognizing these self-disclosure features in daily life may contribute to the early detection of and intervention for depressive symptoms in older females.