Background: There are few studies on validation of depression scales in the elderly in Latin America. This study aimed to assess the validity of Montgomery-Åsberg. Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD) in Brazilian elderly outpatients.

Methods: A convenience sample of 95 outpatients was diagnosed for dementia and depression according to DSM-IV-TR, ICD-10, and PDC-dAD criteria. Receiver Operating Curves (ROC) were used to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and to assess MADRS and CSDD cut-offs for each diagnostic criterion.

Results: Dementia was diagnosed in 71 of 95 patients. Depression was diagnosed in 35, 30, and 51 patients by ICD-10, DSM-IV, and PDC-dAD, respectively. MADRS cut-off score of 10 correctly diagnosed 67.4% and 66.3% patients as depressed according to DSM-IV and ICD-10. A cut-off of 9 correctly identified 74.7% by PDC-dAD criteria; a CSDD cut-off score of 13 best recognized depression according to DSM-IV and ICD-10. A score of 11 diagnosed depression according to PDC-dAD, while MADRS = 9 recognized depression in dementia. CSDD was more efficient in showing depression in mild than in moderate/severe dementia according to DSM-IV/ICD-10. PDC-dAD behaved nicely for any severity stage.

Conclusion: MADRS and CSDD cut-offs of 10 and 13 were the optimal ones to diagnose depression in elderly, respectively. CSDD cut-offs are higher than those found in other countries. Other Latin American studies are needed to compare results with our study.

Background: Previous studies have shown that the presence of depressive symptoms among older persons was evidently associated with subsequent physical and functional decline. However, few studies have directly examined the impact of changes in depressive symptoms or depressed mood on changes in functional ability. The present prospective study examined whether changes in the levels and remission of depressive symptoms were associated with changes in functional ability among community-living older persons who were treated for depressive symptoms in a primary care setting.

Methods: Older persons aged 60 and above with depressive symptoms (N = 267) were followed up in a primary care treatment program over 12 months. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and instrumental and basic activities of daily living (IADL and ADL) were measured at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. The associations of GDS change scores and conversion to non-depressed status with ADL and IADL change scores, controlling for baseline covariates including chronic medical comorbidity and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), were examined in multiple regression analyses.

Results: An improvement in GDS scores (baseline score minus 12-month score) was significantly associated with improvement (12-month score minus baseline score) in ADL (β = 0.355, p < 0.001) and IADL scores (β = 0.165, p = 0.018) after adjusting for baseline functional status, MMSE, chronic medical comorbidities, and other variables. In particular, conversion in GDS status to “non-depressive” state (GDS ≤4) was associated with an improvement in ADL change scores (β = 0.281, p = 0.019).

Conclusion: In depressed older persons, an improvement in depressive symptoms was associated with improved functional ability.

Background: Depression continues to be under-recognized in older people. Most policies addressing this issue focus on the primary health care team. However, recognition may be improved by use of assessment tools and collaboration between secondary health and social care, particularly at the assessment stage. This study aimed to evaluate whether the Single Assessment Process (SAP), introduced in England from April 2004, promoting such processes, improved the identification and correct recognition of depression by enhancing the content of statutory community care assessments by social services care managers.

Methods: An observational study compared depression identification and its accuracy (“correct recognition”) in samples of older people before and after SAP introduction. Participants were interviewed using standardized measures including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Depression elicited from the GDS was compared with that recorded in community care assessments with calculation of inter-rater reliabilities (kappa statistic) pre- and post-SAP. Logistic regression examined the associations between the policy's introduction, potential confounding factors (depression, cognitive impairment, function, behavior and characteristics) and the identification and correct recognition of depression.

Results: Whilst the identification of depression was more likely after SAP, its correct recognition did not improve after the policy, with only slight agreement between GDS and community care assessments. The existence of depression and cognitive impairment made identification, but not correct recognition, more likely.

Conclusions: Correct recognition of depression was not improved in these statutory care assessments following the policy. Recognizing and thus responding to depression in a coordinated and appropriate way in the community requires further action.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the clustering of symptoms on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and the relative prevalence of symptom clusters in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed on the polychoric correlation matrix of 12 NPI items (scored yes or no) using the weighted least squares with mean and variance adjustment (WLSMV) estimator in Mplus (N = 224 community-dwelling Chinese persons with mild/moderate AD). Severity of AD was determined by Clinical Dementia Rating scores. The relative model fit of three competing measurement models (also known as factor structures) was tested using a modified χ2 difference test. Prevalence rates across mild and moderate stages were compared using χ2 tests. Furthermore, the measurement model of choice was cross-validated in an independent sample of 181 community-dwelling persons with dementia.

Results: CFA supported a four-factor model, namely behavioral problems (agitation/aggressiveness, disinhibition, irritability, and aberrant motor behavior), psychosis (delusions and hallucinations), mood disturbance (depression, anxiety, sleep, appetite, and apathy), and euphoria (a stand-alone item that is equivalent to the factor). The most prevalent symptom clusters were behavioral (72%) and mood (69%) disturbances, followed by psychosis (45%). Euphoria was rare (6%). All syndromes were more prevalent in moderate than in mild stage, except for euphoria. In addition, the four-factor model was replicated in the cross-validation sample.

Conclusions: The four syndromes provide a parsimonious conceptualization of neuropsychiatric symptoms corresponding to clinical observations and neurochemical changes of the disease. The independent replication in the second sample supports generalization of the four-factor model in Chinese persons with AD.

Background: We examined associations between successful aging in the workplace (adaptability and health, positive relationship, occupational growth, personal security, and continuous focus on goals) and two major factors of work stressors (work family conflict and discrimination against older workers) and coping resources (perceived organizational support, supportive human resource policies, and social support from friends and family) among Chinese older workers in Hong Kong. Furthermore, we also examined whether coping resources moderate the negative effect derived from work stressors on successful aging.

Methods: A total of 242 Chinese full-time workers aged 40 years or above were recruited in a self-administered questionnaire survey study in Hong Kong.

Results: Hierarchical regression results showed that family-to-work conflict was significantly related to successful aging, except the dimension of personal security. Work-to-family conflict and discrimination, however, were not related to successful aging in the workplace. In terms of coping resources, perceived organizational support was related to all dimensions of successful aging in the workplace. We also found that training and development was a significant correlate of occupational growth. Social support from friends and family was positively related to three successful aging dimensions, including adaptability and health, personal security and continuous focus on goals. Finally, when facing discrimination in the workplace, support from organizations and from friends and family were particularly important for old-older workers (aged 55 years or above) to achieve better adaptability and health.

Conclusions: Perceived organizational support and social support from friends and family were important correlates of successful aging in the workplace. Limitation and recommendations for organizational intervention were discussed.

Background: Clinical subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were assigned as potential prodromes to various types of dementia. Amnestic MCI (aMCI) is said to have a high likelihood of progressing to Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and non-amnestic MCI (naMCI) subtypes are assumed to have a higher likelihood of progressing to non-AD dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic accuracy of aMCI and naMCI for the development of AD, vascular dementia (VaD), and mixed dementia.

Methods: In this longitudinal study, 487 subjects without dementia (cognitively healthy: n = 387; MCI cases: n = 115) aged 75 years at baseline, who participated in a population-based cohort study (Vienna Transdanube Aging study), were available for analysis. The observation period was 90 months. The diagnoses of the clinical MCI subtypes were made according to common criteria. The outcome (AD, VaD, mixed dementia) was described for both MCI subtypes. Diagnostic values of aMCI and naMCI according to incident AD, VaD, and mixed dementia were determined.

Results: AD was the most common type of dementia following both MCI subtypes. Participants with aMCI were more likely to progress to AD than participants with naMCI. The proportion of incident VaD and mixed dementia did not differ concerning the MCI subtypes. The positive predictive value for both MCI subtypes was low (range: 1%–46%), whereas the negative predictive value was high (range: 86%–99%).

Conclusions: The increased risk of clinical MCI subtypes for a particular type of dementia could only be confirmed for aMCI and incident AD.

Background: Paranoid delusions are a common and difficult-to-manage feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of paranoid delusions in a cohort of AD patients, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure regional volume and regional cortical thickness.

Methods: 113 participants with probable AD were assessed for severity of disease, cognitive and functional impairment. Presence and type of delusions were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Structural MRI images were acquired on a 1.5T scanner, and were analyzed using an automated analysis pipeline.

Results: Paranoid delusions were experienced by 23 (20.4%) of the participants. Female participants with paranoid delusions showed reduced cortical thickness in left medial orbitofrontal and left superior temporal regions, independently of cognitive decline. Male participants with delusions did not show any significant differences compared to males without delusions. An exploratory whole brain analysis of non-hypothesized regions showed reduced cortical thickness in the left insula for female participants only.

Conclusion: Frontotemporal atrophy is associated with paranoid delusions in females with AD. Evidence of sex differences in the neuroanatomical correlates of delusions as well as differences in regional involvement in different types of delusions may be informative in guiding management and treatment of delusions in AD.

Background: Depression is a common behavioral and psychological symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aims of the present study were to determine the rate of depression in Taiwanese patients with AD using the National Institutes of Mental Health Provisional Criteria for Depression in AD (NIMH-dAD criteria) and to investigate the association of depression with other behavioral and psychological symptoms.

Methods: A consecutive series of 302 AD patients registered in a dementia clinic were investigated in this study. All patients met the criteria of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke–Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association for probable AD. The rates of depression were determined according to the criteria of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders for major depression (DSM-IV), the International Classification of Diseases-9-Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) for neurotic depression, the depression subscale of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and the NIMH-dAD criteria. Depression severity was assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The rates of depression determined by the NIMH-dAD criteria were compared with the rates derived from each of the other instruments. Other behavioral and psychological symptoms were assessed using NPI. A behavioral neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist interviewed all the patients.

Results: Using the NIMH-dAD criteria, it was found that 90 (29.8%) of the AD patients had depression, and all depressive symptoms in NIMH-dAD were significantly higher among depressed patients. Among other depression instruments, the frequency of depression was lowest using the DSM-IV major depression criteria (9.3%) and highest with the NPI depression subscale (54%). Behavioral and psychological symptoms determined with NPI were significantly higher among depressed patients in all domains except euphoria.

Conclusions: This is the first study of depression in Taiwanese patients with AD using the NIMH-dAD criteria. Our findings suggest that comorbid depression is high in Taiwanese patients with AD. It is clinically important to note the high frequency of most behavioral and psychological symptoms among depressed AD patients.

Background: Lifetime cumulative adversity (LCA) has a detrimental effect on mental health. However, it is less clear whether it also increases the risk for mental health deterioration across time, and whether it is related to a continuous impairment in mental health among older adults. The current study aimed to examine whether LCA is related to deterioration and to continuous vulnerability in depressive symptoms and quality of life.

Method: Nine thousand one hundred fifty four older adults (mean age = 63 at Wave 1) who participated in the first three waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) reported exposure to negative life events, depressive symptoms, and quality of life.

Results: Respondents with more LCA were at greater risk of high level of depressive symptoms and low level of quality of life. Those with more adversity were at greater risk of reporting an increase in depressive symptoms and a decrease in quality of life between waves. LCA was also related to continuous high level of depressive symptoms and low level of quality of life. The effect of LCA was stronger for depressive symptoms than for quality of life.

Conclusions: LCA is associated with decline, as well as with continuous impairment, in major markers of mental health at the second half of life. The overall modest effects imply that resilience to LCA is widespread among older adults. Still, prevention and intervention programs should target old people with cumulative adversity, as they are in risk for deterioration and chronic vulnerability in important components of mental health.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic medical condition with symptoms that compromise patients’ quality of life (QoL). The identification of the factor predicting QoL in AD is essential to develop more effective interventions. Recent research suggests that these factors could be different for the distinct informants. This study explores the QoL predictors considering three different sources of information: patients, caregivers, and healthcare staff.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 102 patients, their primary caregivers, and 15 members of the healthcare staff evaluated patients’ QoL (QoL-AD Scale). Patients’ and caregivers’ demographic and clinical data (cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression, and caregivers’ burden) were considered as QoL predictors.

Results: In multivariate-adjusted linear regression analyses, we observed that patients’ ratings were mainly affected by their mood whereas caregivers’ ratings were also negatively influenced by patients’ irritability and burden. According to staff ratings, both psychotic symptoms and neuroleptics were associated with lower QoL.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that depression is the main variable related to patients’ QoL and that more careful management of neuropsychiatric disorders is necessary. Both proxies’ ratings are not equivalent to patients’ reports in terms of predictors but they are complementary. Thus, a thorough QoL assessment should consider separately the perspective of the different informants.

Background: Individualized guidelines have the potential to offer clinicians assistance in decision-making at the point of consultation to improve health outcomes for patients. This project aims to develop individualized guidelines for the management of aggression in dementia. At an earlier stage, we developed a map of concepts to consider when managing aggression. The purpose of the current study is to appraise paper-based guidelines for their representation of these concepts.

Methods: Two reviewers used a four-point scale (absent, weak, moderate, strong) to rate the guidelines on their representation of concepts relating to the patient, the aggression and dementia disorder, the treatment, and the guidelines themselves. Consensus was reached on inconsistent scores.

Results: Sixteen guidelines published since 2005 were evaluated for their representation of 13 key concepts. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions were strongly represented overall in the guidelines, in conjunction with a consideration of the individual characteristics of the patients and their environment. Recommendations based on the presentation of the aggressive symptoms, goals of treatment, and theory of the cause of the aggression were moderately represented in the guidelines. Recommendations for the principles of restraint use and emergency treatment, as well as a consideration of the personal history of the patient, were poorly represented. Only 6 of 16 guidelines gave details of the expected review.

Conclusion: Concepts important to the management of aggression in dementia are missing in the majority of published guidelines on dementia. This limits the ability of these tools to guide clinical practice effectively.

Background: This study explored the transport and lifestyle issues of older retired and retiring drivers participating in the University of Queensland Driver Retirement Initiative (UQDRIVE), a group program to promote adjustment to driving cessation for retired and retiring older drivers.

Methods: A mixed method research design explored the impact of UQDRIVE on the transport and lifestyle issues of 55 participants who were of mean age 77.9 years and predominantly female (n = 40). The participants included retired (n = 32) and retiring (n = 23) drivers. Transport and lifestyle issues were identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and rated pre- and post-intervention.

Results: Paired t-tests demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in performance (t = 10.5, p < 0.001) and satisfaction (t = 9.9, p < 0.001) scores of individual issues. Qualitative content analysis identified three categories of issues including: protecting my lifestyle; a better understanding of transport options; and being prepared and feeling okay.

Conclusions: Participation in UQDRIVE had a positive and significant effect on the issues of the participants. The results highlight that although all participants stated issues related predominantly to practical concerns, there were trends in the issues identified by the drivers and retired drivers that were consistent with their current phase of the driving cessation process.

Background: Anxiety and depression are common in older adult public housing residents and frequently co-occur. To understand anxiety and depression more fully in this socioeconomically disadvantaged population, this study relies on the Social Antecedent Model of Psychopathology to characterize anxiety and depression symptoms concurrently.

Methods: 190 public housing residents aged 60 years and older in Rochester, New York, participated in a research interview during which they reported on variables across the six stages of the Social Antecedent Model. GAD-7 and PHQ-9 assessed anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively.

Results: In these older adult residents, anxiety and depression symptom severity scores were correlated (r = 0.61; p < 0.001). Correlates of anxiety and depression symptom severity were similar for both outcomes and spanned the six stages of the Social Antecedent Model. Multivariate linear regression models identified age, medical comorbidity, mobility, social support, maladaptive coping, and recent life events severity as statistically significant correlates. The regression models accounted for 43% of anxiety and 48% of depression symptom variability.

Conclusions: In public housing residents, late-life anxiety and depression symptoms were moderately correlated. Anxiety symptom severity correlates were largely consistent with those found for depression symptom severity. The broad distribution of correlates across demographic, social, medical, and behavioral domains suggests that the context of late-life anxiety and depression symptomatology in public housing is complex and that multidisciplinary collaborative care approaches may be warranted in future interventions.

Background: Depression is a common and treatable illness in late-life. However, many do not seek treatment and may suffer from the stigma of the illness, which may vary across cultures. The aim of this study was to compare attitudes about depression in primary care practices in South Korea, Russia, and the USA.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a self-administered questionnaire and PHQ-9 diagnostic survey with 1,094 patients aged 60–93 years who attended a primary care clinic in Korea, Russia, or the USA.

Results: The mean age of participants was 71 years, with 61% being female. US patients were older and had higher education levels. Russian participants were more likely to be widowed and had lower self-rated health. The majority of participants agreed that depression is a kind of disease (Korea 77%, Russia 61%, USA 79%). Only 6% of US patients believed depression means a person is weak, compared to 78% (Korea) and 61% (Russia). Fewer US patients endorsed depression as a normal part of aging (29% vs. Korea at 42% and Russia at 54%). Among participants in the USA, age correlated negatively with endorsement of a medical model of depression (p = <0.001).

Conclusions: Though there was wide variation between countries in attitudes about depression, the majority of each endorsed items reflected a medical model of depression. Korean and Russian participants endorsed the view of depression as a personal weakness more than participants in the USA. Demographic correlates of negative attitudes about depression were moderate to weak.

Background: Screening can increase detection of clinically relevant depressive symptoms, but screen-positive persons are not necessarily willing to accept a subsequent unsolicited treatment offer. Our objective was to explore limiting and motivating factors in accepting an offer to join a “coping with depression” course, and perceived needs among persons aged ≥75 years who screened positive for depressive symptoms in general practice.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, in which 101 persons who had screened positive for depressive symptoms were offered a “coping with depression” course, a sample of 23 persons were interviewed, of whom five (22%) accepted the treatment offer. Interview transcripts were coded independently by two researchers.

Results: All five individuals who accepted a place on the course felt depressed and/or lonely and had positive expectations about the course. The main reasons for declining to join the course were: not feeling depressed, or having negative thoughts about the course effect, concerns about group participation, or about being too old to change and learn new things. Although perceived needs to relieve depressive symptoms largely matched the elements of the course, most of those who had been screened were not (yet) prepared to accept an intervention offer. Many expressed the need to discuss this treatment decision with their general practitioner.

Conclusions: Although the unsolicited treatment offer closely matched the perceived needs of people screening positive for depressive symptoms, only those who combined feelings of being depressed or lonely with positive expectations about the offered course accepted it. Treatment should perhaps be more individually tailored to the patient's motivational stage towards change, a process in which general practitioners can play an important role.

Background: The study was undertaken to describe the frequency of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and depressive symptoms in an older population with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of patients aged 50 years or older infected with HIV was carried out in an outpatient setting in Brazil from March to November 2008. Patients selected were submitted to cognitive evaluation using the Mini-Mental State Examination and International HIV Dementia Scale, and also to functional and depression evaluations.

Results: Among the 52 patients evaluated, the frequency of neurocognitive disorder was 36.5%, while for dementia the frequency was 13.5%. No risk factors were identified. Among the patients with cognitive impairment, 73.7% had cortical impairment. The frequency of depressive symptoms was of 34.6%. The female gender was identified as a risk factor (p = 0.018) and patients with depressive symptoms had greater functional impairment (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: HAND and depressive symptoms are common in an older population. Patients with cognitive impairment achieved lower scores on the cortical assessment scales. Depressive symptoms are a stronger factor for functional impairment.

Background: Training, practice, and continuing professional development in old age psychiatry varies across Europe. The aims of this study were to survey current practice and develop recommendations to begin a debate on harmonization.

Methods: A survey was sent out to 38 European countries via email. The survey was sent to members of the European Association of Geriatric Psychiatry (EAGP) Board, members of the World Psychiatric Association, and key old age psychiatrists or other psychiatrists with a special interest in the area for countries where old age psychiatry was not formally a specialty.

Results: Through a process of networking, we identified a key individual from each country in Europe to participate in this study, and 30 out of 38 (79%) representatives responded. Training programs and duration varied between countries. Eleven countries reported that they had geriatric psychiatry training programs and most of these required geriatric psychiatry trainees to complete mandatory training for two years within old age psychiatry. Representatives from ten countries reported having specific Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for old age psychiatrists at consultant level.

Conclusion: There is a clear indication that the recognition of geriatric psychiatry as a specialist discipline in Europe is on the rise. The training procedures and processes in place vary considerably between and sometimes within countries. There are several options for harmonizing old age psychiatry training across Europe with advantages to each. However, support is required from national old age psychiatry bodies across Europe and an agreement needs to be reached on a training strategy that encompasses supervision, development, and appraisal of the knowledge and skills sets of old age psychiatrists.

Background: Many older adults have at least one chronic disease and experience greater health problems than young adults. However, little is known about factors other than health that account for health anxiety (HA) among older adults. The overall objective of the present study was to develop a better understanding of HA among older and young adults.

Methods: We examined how anxiety-related constructs (anxiety sensitivity, intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety control, and emotion regulation) predict two core components of HA described in the cognitive–behavioral model of HA (illness likelihood and negative consequences) in older and young adults. We also examined the extent to which the predictor variables differentially account for HA in both age groups. Older and young adult participants completed several self-report surveys.

Results: Young adults reported higher levels of HA than older adults. Anxiety sensitivity and reappraisal predicted illness likelihood for older and young adults. Intolerance of uncertainty predicted negative consequences in both age groups. Anxiety sensitivity predicted negative consequences for older adults only. Anxiety control did not predict illness likelihood or negative consequences for either age group.

Conclusions: Results suggest that anxiety sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty may predispose older and young adults to HA, which is influenced by reappraisal. Implications for the cognitive–behavioral model of HA in both age groups are discussed.

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is an important element of high-quality care in nursing homes, especially for residents having dementia who are often incompetent in decision-making toward the end of life. The aim of this study was describe the prevalence of documented ACP among nursing home residents with dementia in Flanders, Belgium, and associated clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Methods: All 594 nursing homes in Flanders were asked to participate in a retrospective cross-sectional postmortem survey in 2006. Participating homes identified all residents who had died over the last two months. A structured questionnaire was mailed to the nurses closely involved in the deceased resident's care regarding the diagnosis of dementia and documented care planning, i.e. advance patient directives, authorization of a legal representative, and general practitioners’ treatment orders (GP orders).

Results: In 345 nursing homes (58% response rate), nurses identified 764 deceased residents with dementia of whom 62% had some type of documented care plan, i.e. advance patient directives in 3%, a legal representative in 8%, and GP orders in 59%. Multivariate logistic regression showed that the presence of GP orders was positively associated with receiving specialist palliative care in the nursing home (OR 3.10; CI, 2.07–4.65). Chances of dying in a hospital were lower if there was a GP order (OR 0.38; CI, 0.21–0.70).

Conclusions: Whereas GP orders are relatively common among residents with dementia, advance patient directives and a legal representative are relatively uncommon. Nursing home residents receiving palliative care are more likely to have a GP order. GP orders may affect place of death.

Background: There is little empirical research regarding the relationships between identity and well-being in people with dementia. The aim of the study was to explore the relationship of identity with mood and quality of life (QoL) in the people in the early stages of dementia.

Method: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Fifty people in the early stages of dementia completed measures pertaining to different aspects of identity, mood, and QoL. Multiple regression analyses were carried out to determine whether it was possible to predict any of the variance in mood and QoL from aspects of identity.

Results: It was possible to predict 12.8% of the variance in anxiety, 23.4% of the variance in depression, and 25.1% of the variance in QoL from different aspects of identity. Predictors varied for each dependent variable.

Conclusions: Aspects of identity predict a modest proportion of the variance in anxiety, depression, and QoL. This suggests that supporting identity in people with dementia who are experiencing difficulties in this regard might have a positive impact on mood and QoL. However, the majority of the variance in mood and QoL must be accounted for by other variables.