Predicting the trajectories of depressive symptoms among southern community-dwelling older adults: the role of religiosity.
BACKGROUND
This study examined the effects of religiosity on the trajectories of depressive symptoms in a sample of community-dwelling older adults over a four-year period in a Southern state in the U.S.


METHODS
Data from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Study of Aging were analyzed using a hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) method. This study involved 1000 participants aged 65 and above (M age = 75 at baseline, SD = 5.97) and data were collected annually from 1999 to 2003. The Geriatric Depression Scale measured depressive symptoms; the Duke University Religion Index measured religious service attendance, prayer, and intrinsic religiosity; and control variables included sociodemographics, health, and social and economic factors.


RESULTS
The HLM analysis indicated a curvilinear trajectory of depressive symptoms over time. At baseline, participants who attended religious services more frequently tended to report fewer depressive symptoms. Participants with the highest levels of intrinsic religiosity at baseline experienced a steady decline in the number of depressive symptoms over the four-year period, while those with lower levels of intrinsic religiosity experienced a short-term decline followed by an increase in the number of depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
In addition to facilitating access to health, social support and financial resources for older adults, service professionals might consider culturally appropriate, patient-centered interventions that boost the salutary effects of intrinsic religiosity on depressive symptoms.
School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. fei.sun.1@asu.edu
Fei
F
Sun
Nan S
NS
Park
Lucinda L
LL
Roff
David L
DL
Klemmack
Michael
M
Parker
Harold G
HG
Koenig
Patricia
P
Sawyer
Richard M
RM
Allman
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000407:Alabama; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012067:Religion; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D029181:Spirituality