ISSN:
1573-2819
Keywords:
ANXIETY
;
OLDER ADULTS
;
COGNITION
;
DEPRESSION
;
AFFECT
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Psychology
Notes:
Abstract Cognitive and affective dimensions of symptomsof anxiety and depression were examined in a sample of283 community-dwelling older adults (ranging in age from65 to 93 years). A principal-axis factor analysis with varimax rotation conducted on theCognition Checklist (CCL) revealed a factor structuredifferent than that found in younger adults. Threefactors emerged (Anxious, Social Loss, and NegativeSelf-Evaluation/Worthlessness Cognitions) and, in general, these cognitionswere not specifically related to anxious and depressivesymptoms. Instead, worthlessness cognitions wererobustly associated with both anxious and depressive symptoms, including variance that was unique toeach. In terms of affective dimensions, factor analysesrevealed that only anxiety-related items loaded on thenegative affectivity subscale. Consequently, negative affectivity was strongly related tovariance that was unique to anxious symptoms, but wasonly weakly related to variance that was unique todepressive symptoms. On the other hand, positiveaffectivity was only weakly associated with both forms ofsymptomatology. Findings are discussed in terms of thecognitive and affective distinctions between older andyounger adulthood.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1018710707960
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