Life-space mobility and dimensions of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the association between life-space mobility and different dimensions of depressive symptoms among older community-dwelling people.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of baseline data of the ‘Life-Space Mobility in Old Age’ cohort study were carried out. The participants were community-dwelling women and men aged 75–90 years (N = 848). Data were gathered via structured interviews in participants’ home. Life-space mobility (the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Life-Space Assessment – questionnaire) and depressive symptoms (Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, CES-D) were assessed. Other factors examined included sociodemographic factors, difficulties walking 500 m, number of chronic diseases and the sense of autonomy in participation outdoors (subscale of Impact on Participation and Autonomy questionnaire).

Results: Poorer life-space mobility was associated with higher prevalence of different dimensions of depressive symptoms. The associations were partially mediated through walking difficulties, health and the sense of autonomy in participation outdoor activities.

Conclusion: Poorer life-space mobility interrelates with higher probability for depressive symptoms, thus compromising older adults’ mental wellbeing. A focus on older adults’ life-space mobility may assist early identification of persons, who have elevated risk for depressive symptoms. The association between life-space mobility and depressive symptoms should be studied further utilizing longitudinal study designs to examine temporality and potential causality.

Keywords:

• life-space
• depression
• aging
• older people

Acknowledgements

Gerontology Research Center is a joint effort between the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Tampere.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Academy of Finland [grant number 263729]; and personal grant to A. Viljanen [grant number 251723]. The LISPE project is funded by the Academy of Finland the Future of Living and Housing program (ASU-LIVE) [grant number 255403] and Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.