Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1414-9331

Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Amy Fiske

Committee Co-Chair

Barry Edelstein

Committee Member

Ryan Best

Abstract

Depression and depressive symptoms commonly coincide with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in older adults (Ismail et al., 2017; Panza et al., 2010), with its prevalence varying based on dementia severity, diagnostic criteria, and dementia subtype (Chi et al., 2015; Ismail et al., 2017; Leung et al., 2021; Lopez et al., 2003). This relationship is hypothesized to exist for a variety of reasons, including that depressive symptoms occur as an emotional response to cognitive functioning (Bennett & Thomas, 2014; Richard et al., 2013). Emotional responses may be explained by a decline in sense of control, or the belief in one’s ability to influence their environment to achieve desired outcomes, which declines with age as cognitive and physical abilities change and limit independence (Heckhausen et al., 2010; Lachman & Weaver, 1998; Mirowsky, 1995; Skinner, 1996). Sense of control has also been found to mediate the relation between subjective cognitive decline, or perceived cognitive dysfunction, and depressive symptoms (Su et al., 2022). Using data taken from years 2006 to 2018 of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we found that, across 7 data collection points, cognitive functioning on the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-27) significantly predicted depressive symptoms on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D-8; Lachman & Weaver, 1997; Turvey et al., 2009; Welsh et al., 1993). Further, a mediated regression using data from years 2016 and 2018 indicated that ‘sense of control,’ measured using the subscale of the Midlife Development Inventory, mediated the relation between cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms. The findings of this study illustrate the importance that cognitive functioning has on sense of control and helps to better explain how depressive symptoms occur as an emotional reaction to cognitive dysfunction. These findings have critical implications for treatment of depressive symptoms in older adults, particularly those with signs of cognitive impairment.

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