title: Self-rated health as a moderator of the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between functional impairment, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms. Independently, self-rated health and functional impairment each contribute to depressive symptoms; however, it remains unknown how these variables are related to depression in combination. It was hypothesized that self-rated health would moderate the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms in a sample of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community sample of adults aged 60 and above was recruited from primary care clinics (n = 106); 98 of these participants had usable data. Participants completed self-report questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, functional impairment, and self-rated physical health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-rated health moderated the relation between functional impairment and depressive symptoms. For participants with poor self-rated health, greater functional impairment was associated with greater depressive symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears that patient perceptions of health may be protective against depressive symptoms for those with functional impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jahn
authors.forename: Kelly C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Cukrowicz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D012647:Self-Assessment