The Moderating Effect of Aging Attitudes on the Cross-Lagged Relationship Between Depression and Loneliness: A RI-CLPM Study.

OBJECTIVES Loneliness and depression are prevalent, mutually reinforcing mental health concerns in older adults. Identifying psychological resources, such as aging attitudes, that may moderate loneliness--depression relationships is crucial. This study investigated this relationship in older adults and the moderating effects of aging attitudes.

METHODS This one-year, three-wave longitudinal study of 437 older adults was analyzed using a Bayesian random intercept cross-lagged panel model to examine the relationships between loneliness and depression, with aging attitude as a stable moderator.

RESULTS Random intercept cross-lagged analysis revealed that, at the between-person level, positive aging attitudes were associated with lower trait-level loneliness and depression. At the within-person level, depression exhibited a significant negative auto-regression effect, whereas loneliness did not. Cross-lagged analyses indicated that increases in depression significantly predicted decreases in subsequent loneliness. Conclusions: Aging attitudes played a complex moderating role. Instead of buffering the consequences of depression, positive attitudes toward aging strengthened the link between within-person fluctuations in depression and subsequent loneliness, a relationship that was absent among individuals with negative attitudes.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Clinicians should assess aging attitudes to tailor interventions, treating loneliness and depression as coupled symptoms in those with positive views, while using targeted strategies for those with negative attitudes.