Overall Change Trajectories and Within-Person Dynamics of Cognitive Function and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults

Using three CHARLS waves from 5,208 adults aged 60 and older, we examined trajectories and within-person dynamics of cognitive function and depressive symptoms using parallel-process latent growth curve modeling (PP-LGCM) and random-intercept cross-lagged panel modeling (RI-CLPM). PP-LGCM showed increasing depressive symptoms and declining cognition; baseline depressive symptoms were associated with less favorable cognitive change, although estimates varied across sensitivity analyses. RI-CLPM showed a negative stable between-person association and significant concurrent within-person associations, but no significant cross-lagged paths. These findings support joint assessment in gerontological social work practice, without assuming that change in one domain precedes change in the other. .