Profile of discrete emotions in affective disorders in older primary care patients.

PURPOSE: This research examined whether the frequencies of specific emotions are associated with major and minor depression in older primary care patients.

DESIGN AND

METHODS

Older primary care patients (N = 146), prescreened with a depression questionnaire, completed a diagnostic interview and an emotions questionnaire.

RESULTS

Controlling for age, sex, and other psychiatric and medical illnesses, major depressives differed from nondepressed controls in nine emotions; minor depressives differed from controls in four emotions. Major depressives differed from the controls more in sadness, joy, and interest--but not anger, fear, or guilt--than in comparison sets of emotions. Minor depressives differed from the controls more in sadness and inner-directed hostility--but not guilt, anger, fear, joy, or interest--than in comparison sets of emotions.

IMPLICATIONS: The frequencies of discrete emotions are differentially associated with major and minor depression; future research is needed to determine their specific diagnostic and treatment implications.