Age differences in the pain-depression link for women with osteoarthritis. Functional impairment and personal control as mediators.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines functional impairment and personal control as mediators between pain and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older women with osteoarthritis (OA).


METHODS
Ninety-nine middle-aged and older women with OA completed face-to-face interviews to assess pain, functional impairment, personal control, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health.


RESULTS
Controlling for self-rated health, functional impairment mediated the relationship between pain and depressive symptoms for middle-age women but not for older women. Alternately, personal control was a mediator for older women but not for middle-aged women.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional limitations at least partially explain the relationship between pain and depression for middle-aged women who are juggling many roles and do not expect trouble with daily activities. For older women, functional limitations are expected, but personal control becomes more important. Implications for intervention are discussed.
McIlvane
Jessica M
JM
School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, USA. mcilvane@cas.usf.edu
Schiaffino
Kathleen M
KM
Paget
Stephen A
SA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health