Abstract
Purpose: This research examined whether the frequencies of specific emotions are associated with major and minor depression in older primary care patients. Design and Methods: Older primary care patients (N=146), prescreened with a depression questionnaire, completed a diagnostic interview and an emotions questionnaire. Results: 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. Implications: 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.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 643-651 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Gerontologist |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Gerontology
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
Keywords
- Comorbidity
- Late-life psychopathology
- Major depression
- Minor depression