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ABSTRACT Although depression is second only to dementia in prevalence among older adults (Kessler, McGonagle, Zhao et al., 1994), it is unclear how factors such as age, gender, and level of cognitive functioning may be related to an individual's feelings of depression. This study addressed the association between symptoms of depression and cognitive functioning among 50 community-dwelling older adults (Mean age = 71.1), as well as investigating the relationship between gender and types of depressive symptoms reported. Finally, the effects of memory and attention training were measured. Significant correlations were found between both the Beck Depression Inventory and the Geriatric Depression Scale and one measure of attention, Trail Making Part B (r = A34, p < .01; r = .358, p < .05, respectively). Symptoms of depression accounted for 18% of the variance on this measure (p < .01), and symptoms related to motivational problems explained more of this variance (Beta = .38, p < .05) than did those related to mood (Beta = .08, p < .59, ns). Contrary to expectations, there were no differences between men and women in the types of depressive symptoms reported. Attention scores as measured by the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task improved from baseline levels after participants completed memory and attention training workshops (t(49) = − 4.02, p < .001). Implications for the diagnosis of older adults with depression and cognitive impairment are discussed.
McBride et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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