title: Does Depressive Affect Mediate the Relationship between Self-Care Capacity and Nutritional Status Among Rural Older Adults? : A Structural Equation Modeling Approach.
abstract: This study examined the relationships of self-care capacity and depressive affect on nutritional status and whether depressive affect mediated the relationship of self-care capacity on nutritional status. A convenience sample of 171 rural community-dwelling older adults, 65 years and above, participated. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to test a mediation model. The hypothesized SEM model was supported with adequate fit (χ2(1) = 1.87, p = 0.17; CFI = 0.94; RMSEA = 0.07; SRMR = 0.03). SEM analysis revealed a significant positive direct effect of self-care capacity on nutritional status (γ = 0.14, p = 0.042). Significant negative direct effects were observed for self-care capacity on depressive affect (γ = -0.15, p = 0.027) and for depressive affect on nutritional status (β = -0.27, p < 0.01). Depressive affect was also observed to partially mediate the relationship of self-care capacity on nutrition status (γ = 0.04, p = 0.046). Findings highlight the importance of emotional well-being on rural older adults' nutritional status, particularly those with decreased ability to engage in self-care practices.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management , The University of Alabama , Tuscaloosa , Alabama , USA.
authors.forename: Seung Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: b Department of Human Development and Family Science , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , Oklahoma , USA.
authors.forename: Alex J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology , The University of Alabama , Tuscaloosa , Alabama , USA.
authors.forename: Minjung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: d Department of Nutritional Sciences , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , Oklahoma , USA.
authors.forename: Janice
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hermann
authors.affiliation: e Alabama Research Institute on Aging (ARIA) , The University of Alabama , Tuscaloosa , Alabama , USA.
authors.forename: Giyeon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: a Department of Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management , The University of Alabama , Tuscaloosa , Alabama , USA.
authors.forename: Jeannine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lawrence
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012424:Rural Population; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Rural; depressive affect; nutritional status; older adults; self-care capacity