Shadows of loneliness: Shaping the link between self-rated health and depressive symptoms trajectories in later life.

Objectives

To examine how self-rated health (SRH) and depressive symptoms co-evolve over time among older adults, and whether loneliness modifies the relationship between baseline and trajectory of SRH in relation to the initial level and trend of depressive symptoms.

Methods

Using the 2012-2020 waves of the Health and Retirement Study in the United States (7991 adults aged 65 years and older), we applied latent growth curve modeling and multi-group analyses to estimate intercepts and slopes for both SRH and depressive symptoms and to evaluate moderation by loneliness.

Results

SRH declined while depressive symptoms increased over time. Lower SRH at the intercept related to higher depressive symptoms at the intercept (b = -0.469, p < .001). A sharper decline in SRH was linked to more severe depressive symptoms (b = -0.681, p < .001). Loneliness intensified the negative association between self rated health and depressive symptoms at the intercept and slope.

Conclusions

Disentangling intercept and slope clarifies the longitudinal relationship between depression and SRH. Interventions targeting loneliness may help buffer against worsening health and mental health trajectories.