Age-Related Deficits in Executive Function and Their Contribution to Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults

This study examines the relationship between executive function (EF) in daily life and depressive symptoms in older adults, focusing on how age-related EF deficits contribute to depressive symptoms.

Data were collected from 404 community-dwelling older adults in Gangwon-do, South Korea. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the Short Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (KGDS-SF), and EF deficits were measured using the Korean version of the Short Form of the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (KBDEFS-SF), an ecologically validated tool. Regression analysis and a mediation model were employed to investigate how age-related EF deficits contribute to depressive symptoms.

EF deficits, particularly in self-organization/problem-solving and self-regulation of emotion, were significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms. However, only deficits in self-organization/problem-solving mediated the relationship between age and depressive symptoms.

Age-related deficits in self-organization/problem-solving significantly contribute to depressive symptoms in older adults.

Interventions aimed at improving self-organization and problem-solving skills are critical for managing depressive symptoms in older adults, as these abilities are influenced by age and may mediate the relationship between age and depression.