title: Exploring the relationships among performance-based functional ability, self-rated disability, perceived instrumental support, and depression: a structural equation model analysis.
abstract: Data from the Women's Health and Aging Study were used to test a model of factors explaining depressive symptomology. The primary purpose of the study was to explore the association between performance-based measures of functional ability and depression and to examine the role of self-rated physical difficulties and perceived instrumental support in mediating the relationship between performance-based functioning and depression. The inclusion of performance-based measures allows for the testing of functional ability as a clinical precursor to disability and depression: a critical, but rarely examined, association in the disablement process. Structural equation modeling supported the overall fit of the model and found an indirect relationship between performance-based functioning and depression, with perceived physical difficulties serving as a significant mediator. Our results highlight the complementary nature of performance-based and self-rated measures and the importance of including perception of self-rated physical difficulties when examining depression in older persons.
authors: College of Natural and Health Sciences, Gerontology Program, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA joyce.weil@unco.edu.
authors: Joyce
authors: J
authors: Weil
authors: Department of Applied Statistics & Research Methods, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA.
authors: Susan R
authors: SR
authors: Hutchinson
authors: Department of Applied Statistics & Research Methods, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, USA.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Traxler
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015142:Baltimore; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support
keywords: depression; disability; disablement process; functional ability; instrumental support; older women; performance-based tests; structural equation modeling