Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms in Advanced Old Age

Abstract

This study applied a growth mixture approach to intraindividual trajectories of depressive symptoms in advanced old age. Data from 124 elders born 1912–1922, repeatedly assessed on five occasions between 2009–2012, revealed three prototypical patterns: (1) stably low depressive symptoms (expected frequency 28%), (2) stability at major depression level (29%), (3) increase from low to high depressive symptoms (43%). The links of each pattern with functional ability, handgrip strength, and visual acuity were analyzed. High baseline levels of functional abilities and visual acuity, and concurrent stability of functional abilities increased the probability of the “stably low” pattern, but none predicted the increase pattern. We conclude that focus on diverse intraindividual change patterns adds to the understanding of depression in advanced old age.