Can depression in psychogeriatric inpatients at one year follow-up be explained by locus of control and coping strategies?

Objectives: Treatment of depression (in late life) is good. The short-term, but not long-term prognosis after treatment of depression in late life is good. To identify modifiable factors, we wanted to examine whether coping in terms of locus of control and coping strategies in depressed patients were associated with the prognosis of depression at follow-up, adjusted for sociodemographic information and health variables.

Method: In total, 122 patients (mean age 75.4 years; SD = 6.6) were followed up (median 13.7 months, Q1-Q3 386-441) with a diagnostic evaluation(ICD-10) for depression and assessment of depressive symptoms (MADRS). Coping was assessed using Locus of Control of behavior (LoC-scale) and Ways of Coping questionnaire (WoC-scale).

Results: At follow-up, 37.7% were diagnosed with a depressive episode. A stronger external LoC and lower MMSE-NR score at baseline were in adjusted linear regression analysis significantly more associated to higher depressive symptom scores (MADRS). More use of problem-focused coping, a lower I-ADL functioning, but not emotion-focused coping at baseline were significantly associated with being depressed (ICD-10), at follow-up in adjusted logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion: LoC and coping strategies at baseline were associated with the prognosis of depression at follow-up, and may further be studied as indicators for choice of baseline intervention strategies.