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The effects of developing a dual sensory loss on depression in older adults: a longitudinal study
1Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision, Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 6189, Starkville, MS 39762, USA. m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu
Objective:
To determine the effect of developing a dual sensory loss (DSL) on depression over time and evaluate the impact of preexisting single sensory loss on this effect.
Method:
Multilevel modeling was used to analyze data (N = 2,689) from the Health and Retirement Study.
Results:
A significant increase in depression at the first report of DSL occurred, and depression increased at a significantly faster rate following DSL, in a curvilinear pattern. In addition, persons who eventually developed DSL began the study with a depression score significantly higher than persons who did not experience sensory loss. A preexisting single sensory loss did not alter the effect of DSL on depression.
Discussion:
Two sources of disparity in depression between persons with and without DSL were identified: preexisting differences and differences that occurred due to the DSL. The relationship exhibited between depression and developing a DSL indicated an adjustment process.
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