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A relação entre a sintomatologia depressiva e a evocação de memórias autobiográficas nos idosos
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Abstract(s)
É notável a progressão continuada do envelhecimento da população e a prevalência elevada da depressão nos idosos. Estudos sobre a relação entre a depressão e as memórias autobiográficas têm mostrado que a sobregeneralização das memórias autobiográficas se apresenta como uma característica estável que funciona como marcador e preditor da depressão. Os estudos na população idosa são muito escassos e, como tal, propõe-se, nesta investigação, compreender a relação entre a sintomatologia depressiva e a evocação de memórias autobiográficas nos idosos.
A amostra é constituída por 50 idosos, com idades compreendidas entre os 65 e os 92 anos, a residir maioritariamente em meio Rural. Foram divididos por dois grupos: Sem Sintomatologia Depressiva (n=32) e Com Sintomatologia Depressiva (n=18). Aplicou-se um questionário sociodemográfico, uma bateria de instrumentos clínicos – MoCA, NMDAS, BDI e STAY – e a Tarefa de Memória Autobiográfica.
Constata-se, nesta amostra, a inexistência de uma sobregeneralização das memórias autobiográficas nas pessoas com sintomatologia depressiva. Os idosos sem sintomatologia depressiva não diferem significativamente dos idosos com sintomatologia depressiva na evocação de memórias autobiográficas específicas, categóricas e alargadas, de valência emocional positiva e negativa e nos tempos de latência. Os resultados permitem levantar a hipótese da inexistência de diferenças significativas poderem ser explicadas pela severidade ligeira dos sintomas depressivos apresentados pela maioria dos idosos com sintomatologia depressiva.
Sugere-se o aumento de investigação nesta área de modo a permitir uma expansão do conhecimento, aumentando a capacidade preventiva e o desenvolvimento de intervenções mais adequadas e especializadas para os idosos.
ABSTRACT: It is remarkable the continued progression of population aging and the high prevalence of depression in the elderly. Studies on the relationship between depression and autobiographical memories have shown that overgeneralization of autobiographical memories is presented as a stable feature that works as a marker and predictor of depression. Studies in the elderly are very scarce and, therefore, it is proposed in this research, to understand the relationship between depressive symptomatology and the recall of autobiographical memories in the elderly. The sample is composed of 50 elderly, with ages between 65 and 92 years, residing mostly in rural areas. They were divided into two groups: Without Depressive Symptomatology (n = 32) and With Depressive Symptomatology (n = 18). It was applied a sociodemographic questionnaire, a battery of clinical instruments - MoCA, NMDAS, BDI, STAY - and the Autobiographical Memory Test. It is observed, in this sample, the absence of an overgeneralization of autobiographical memories in people with depressive symptomatology. Older people without depressive symptomatology did not differ significantly from the elderly with depressive symptomatology in the evocation of specific, categorical and extended autobiographical memories, positive and negative emotional valence and latency times. The results allow us to hypothesize that this inexistence of differences can be explained by the slight severity of depressive symptoms for most seniors with depressive symptomatology. It’s suggested that more research in this area would permit the knowledge’s expansion, enhancing preventive capacity and the development of more appropriate and specialized interventions for the elderly.
ABSTRACT: It is remarkable the continued progression of population aging and the high prevalence of depression in the elderly. Studies on the relationship between depression and autobiographical memories have shown that overgeneralization of autobiographical memories is presented as a stable feature that works as a marker and predictor of depression. Studies in the elderly are very scarce and, therefore, it is proposed in this research, to understand the relationship between depressive symptomatology and the recall of autobiographical memories in the elderly. The sample is composed of 50 elderly, with ages between 65 and 92 years, residing mostly in rural areas. They were divided into two groups: Without Depressive Symptomatology (n = 32) and With Depressive Symptomatology (n = 18). It was applied a sociodemographic questionnaire, a battery of clinical instruments - MoCA, NMDAS, BDI, STAY - and the Autobiographical Memory Test. It is observed, in this sample, the absence of an overgeneralization of autobiographical memories in people with depressive symptomatology. Older people without depressive symptomatology did not differ significantly from the elderly with depressive symptomatology in the evocation of specific, categorical and extended autobiographical memories, positive and negative emotional valence and latency times. The results allow us to hypothesize that this inexistence of differences can be explained by the slight severity of depressive symptoms for most seniors with depressive symptomatology. It’s suggested that more research in this area would permit the knowledge’s expansion, enhancing preventive capacity and the development of more appropriate and specialized interventions for the elderly.
Description
Dissertação de mestrado apresentada ao ISPA – Instituto Universitário
Keywords
Idosos Sintomatologia depressiva Memórias autobiográficas Elderly Depressive symptomatology Autobiographical memories