Profile of discrete emotions in affective disorders in older primary care patients

This research examined whether the frequencies of specific emotions are associated with major and minor depression in older primary care patients.

Older primary care patients (N = 146), prescreened with a depression questionnaire, completed a diagnostic interview and an emotions questionnaire.

Controlling for age, sex, and other psychiatric and medical illnesses, major depressives differed from nondepressed controls in nine emotions; minor depressives differed from controls in four emotions. Major depressives differed from the controls more in sadness, joy, and interest--but not anger, fear, or guilt--than in comparison sets of emotions. Minor depressives differed from the controls more in sadness and inner-directed hostility--but not guilt, anger, fear, joy, or interest--than in comparison sets of emotions.

The frequencies of discrete emotions are differentially associated with major and minor depression; future research is needed to determine their specific diagnostic and treatment implications.