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

Larry Seidlitz, Jeffrey M. Lyness, Yeates Conwell, Paul R. Duberstein, Christopher Cox

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)643-651
Number of pages9
JournalGerontologist
Volume41
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2001
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

Keywords

  • Comorbidity
  • Late-life psychopathology
  • Major depression
  • Minor depression

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