Can social support and physical activity buffer cognitive impairment in individuals with depressive symptoms? Results from a representative sample of young to older adults.

BACKGROUND

Previous study results on associations between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning, mainly based on clinical samples and explanatory mechanisms including potential protective factors, are yet to be clarified. To this end, we investigated relations between depressive symptoms and executive functioning as well as episodic memory in a representative population sample. Furthermore, we determined the role of social support and physical activity in the explanation of cognitive performance differences in individuals with depressive symptoms.

METHODS

A total of N = 3661 participants (52% female) from the German Health and Examination Interview for Adults (18-79 years; M = 52.71, SD = 16.06) were included in the present study. Within a larger assessment protocol, participants answered a depressive symptom questionnaire and completed a neuropsychological test battery including executive functioning and episodic memory.

RESULTS

Depressive symptoms significantly predicted executive functioning and episodic memory scores with small effects of β = -0.04. Social support and physical activity mediated the relationships between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning.

LIMITATIONS

As the present study is cross-sectional, future research is warranted to provide more insight into causality by following individuals with depressive symptoms over time.

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings indicate that effects from depressive symptoms on cognitive functioning (a) have been overestimated and do not generalize to non-clinical populations and (b) vary owing to behavioral lifestyle factors such as social support and physical activity. Thereby, the present results highlight opportunities for buffering cognitive decline in individuals with depressive symptoms in the general population.