Women's Health Issues
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 44-51, January 2007

Age differences in the pain–depression link for women with osteoarthritis:

Functional Impairment and Personal Control as Mediators

  • Jessica M. McIlvane, PhD

      Affiliations

    • University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Jessica M. McIlvane, PhD, University of South Florida, School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, MHC1318, Tampa, FL 33620.
    • ,
  • Kathleen M. Schiaffino, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Fordham University, Department of Psychology, Dealy Hall, Bronx, New York
    • ,
  • Stephen A. Paget, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York

Received 19 December 2005; received in revised form 24 August 2006; accepted 4 October 2006.

Purpose

This study examines functional impairment and personal control as mediators between pain and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older women with osteoarthritis (OA).

Method

Ninety-nine middle-aged and older women with OA completed face-to-face interviews to assess pain, functional impairment, personal control, depressive symptoms, and self-rated health.

Results

Controlling for self-rated health, functional impairment mediated the relationship between pain and depressive symptoms for middle-age women but not for older women. Alternately, personal control was a mediator for older women but not for middle-aged women.

Conclusions

Functional limitations at least partially explain the relationship between pain and depression for middle-aged women who are juggling many roles and do not expect trouble with daily activities. For older women, functional limitations are expected, but personal control becomes more important. Implications for intervention are discussed.

 

 Supported by an Arthritis Foundation Dissertation Grant (to J. M. M.) and a Fordham University Faculty Grant (to K. M. S.).

PII: S1049-3867(06)00115-0

doi:10.1016/j.whi.2006.10.005

Women's Health Issues
Volume 17, Issue 1 , Pages 44-51, January 2007

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