(PS4-24) Longitudinal Associations between Depression and Relationship Quality among Older Adults

Abstract Text: There is a robust association between depression and relationship quality within committed relationships. However, this finding is largely based on research in early- and mid-adulthood. Older adults are vulnerable to depression and often turn to a partner as a central source of support. Accordingly, it may be particularly important to understand the relational contributions and consequences of depressive symptoms among older adults as well. To do so, the current study examined associations between depressive symptoms and relationship quality using three waves of data across four months among older adults in committed relationships. In line with the convention theme of using science to promote inclusive affirming therapies, this investigation aims to enhance understanding of the longitudinal interplay between depression and relationship quality in an understudied yet vulnerable population in order to inform tailored interventions for older adults.

Older adults (age 60+; N = 398) in married or cohabiting relationships completed three online surveys at baseline and two and four months later. Participants were on average 66-years-old, in their relationships on average 31 years, 90% married, and 51% identified as women. Participants reported on their depressive symptoms and three indicators of relationship quality (global relationship satisfaction, positive relationship characteristics, and negative relationship characteristics). Cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) tested bidirectional lagged associations between depressive symptoms and relationship quality, as well as autoregressive paths and concurrent associations. Random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs) were also conducted to test within-person associations. Final models included equality constraints for bidirectional lagged effects and had strong model fit. Analyses were conducted in Mplus version 8.11.

Lagged associations from the CLPMs indicated that higher depressive symptoms predicted (a) lower global relationship satisfaction, (b) more negative relationship characteristics, and (c) less positive relationship characteristics two months later. In contrast, none of the three relationship quality indices predicted subsequent depressive symptoms. Results from the RI-CLPMs found no significant within-person lagged effects, but there were significant between-person level effects (i.e., older adults who were higher in depressive symptoms relative to other older adults reported lower levels of relationship quality).

These findings reveal that older adults who experienced elevated depressive symptoms also reported lower relationship quality two months later (relative to older adults who experienced fewer depressive symptoms), but relationship quality did not predict subsequent depressive symptoms. These findings inform our understanding of the direction of association between depression and relationship quality among older adults and point to the negative relational implications of elevated depression among this understudied population. Interventions tailored to address depression in older adults can potentially enhance both their individual and relational well-being.