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Linking depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning: The mediating role of leisure activity.

TitleLinking depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning: The mediating role of leisure activity.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsSharifian N, Gu Y, Manly JJ, Schupf N, Mayeux R, Brickman AM, Zahodne LB
JournalNeuropsychology
Volume34
Issue1
Pagination107-115
Date Published2020 Jan
ISSN1931-1559
KeywordsAge Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Cognition, Cognitive Dysfunction, Depression, Exercise, Female, Humans, Leisure Activities, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Neuropsychological Tests
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Greater depressive symptoms are associated with cognitive decline in older adulthood, but it is not clear what underlying factors drive this association. One behavioral pathway through which depressive symptoms may negatively influence cognitive functioning is through activity engagement. Prior research has independently linked greater depressive symptoms to both lower leisure and physical activity and independently linked both lower leisure and physical activity to lower cognition. Therefore, depressive symptoms may negatively influence cognition by reducing engagement in beneficial leisure and/or physical activities that help to maintain cognition.
METHODS: The current study examined associations between depressive symptoms, leisure activity, physical activity, and global cognitive functioning using longitudinal data from the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project (n = 5,458 older adults). A multilevel structural equation model estimated the between-person and within-person effects of depressive symptoms on global cognition through leisure and physical activity.
RESULTS: Leisure activity, but not physical activity, mediated the association between depressive symptoms and global cognition between- and within-persons. When individuals reported high depressive symptoms, they also reported fewer leisure activities, which was associated with lower global cognition.
CONCLUSION: These findings highlight behavioral pathways through which depressive symptoms may negatively influence cognitive functioning. Findings support the view that perhaps depressive symptoms act as a risk factor for cognitive impairment by reducing leisure activity engagement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

DOI10.1037/neu0000595
Pubmed Linkhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31448942?dopt=Abstract
page_expoExternal
Alternate JournalNeuropsychology
PubMed ID31448942
PubMed Central IDPMC6940545
Grant ListR00 AG047963 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
/ / National Institutes on Aging /
RF1 AG066107 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG054520 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
RF1 AG054023 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
/ / National Institutes of Health; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences /

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