1. The Reciprocal Relationship between Frailty and Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults in Rural China: A Cross-Lag Analysis
- Author
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Xuehui Wang and Kaijun Shen
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Longitudinal study ,Leadership and Management ,Longitudinal data ,Psychological intervention ,Health Informatics ,frailty ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,depressive symptoms ,Health Information Management ,cross-lag model ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Depression (differential diagnoses) ,Depressive symptoms ,older adults ,030214 geriatrics ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Group model ,Rural area ,business - Abstract
(1) Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reciprocal relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms using longitudinal data among older adults in China. (2) Methods: Data derived from 2014 and 2017 waves of a longitudinal study of 1367 older adults aged 70–84 years, living in rural areas of Jiangsu Province, China. Cross-lagged panel model and a multiple group model were used to examine the temporal effect of frailty on depressive symptoms and vice versa. (3) Results: Frailty was associated with subsequent increase in depressive symptoms, such that participants with higher levels of frailty increase the risks of depressive symptoms (b = 0.090, p <, 0.01). Depressive symptoms were significant predictors of increased frailty (b = −0.262, p <, 0.001). However, older men and older women had no significant differences in the reciprocal relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, we find a significant bi-directional relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms. This finding confirms the dyadic model of frailty and depression. Implications for interventions and policy to help frail and depressive older adults are discussed.
- Published
- 2021