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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
04:33
Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: April 26, 2024
Depressive symptoms impair everyday problem-solving ability through cognitive abilities in late life
Yung-Chieh Yen1, George W Rebok, Joseph J Gallo
1Department of Psychiatry, E-Da Hospital and College of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung County, Taiwan.
Summary
Depression in older adults is linked to poorer daily problem-solving skills, partly due to impacts on memory and reasoning. Cognitive abilities play a key role in how depressive symptoms affect everyday functioning in seniors.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- The link between depression and functional disability in older adults is not well understood.
- Depressive symptoms may impact daily functioning through cognitive pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and daily functioning in older adults.
- To examine the mediating role of cognitive abilities (memory, reasoning, processing speed) in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- 2,832 older adults (mean age 73.6 years) were recruited.
- Structural equation modeling analyzed the mediation of cognitive abilities on the link between depressive symptoms and everyday problem-solving.
Main Results:
- Depressive symptoms were directly associated with impaired everyday problem-solving.
- Memory and reasoning significantly mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and problem-solving.
- Processing speed was associated with depressive symptoms but did not mediate problem-solving ability.
Conclusions:
- Depressive symptoms affect daily functioning in older adults, with cognitive abilities like memory and reasoning being key mediators.
- This study offers a model for preventing functional decline associated with geriatric depression.
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