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Meaning in life is a motivational force and an existential theme for many people. The concept of meaning comprises purpose, comprehension and mattering. According to the Section III model of personality disorder (DSM-5), lack of meaning, purpose and direction in life is part of personality dysfunction. The present study aimed to determine the association between personality disorder (PD), personality dysfunction and 'lack of meaning, purpose and direction' as a distinct facet of personality dysfunction, using Livesley's self-report questionnaire-the General Assessment of Personality Disorder. This comparative quantitative study showed significant differences in lack of meaning, purpose and direction between a group of patients with PD (n = 126, PD with depression n = 51 and PD without depression n = 75), a group of non-PD patients (n = 76, with depression n = 27 and without depression n = 49) and a control group (n = 444). The PD groups had similar scores as the non-PD patients with depression. Lack of meaning was significantly associated with 'difficulty setting and attaining goals' in all groups, with 'lack of affiliative relationships' in the PD groups and 'sense of inner emptiness' in the PD group without depression and in controls. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Aim Studies have shown better predictive value of self-rated health (SRH) for mortality when prospective change in SRH is considered. However, retrospective change is more feasible and might have better sensitivity to objective health changes. This study compares the predictive value for mortality of retrospectively measured change in SRH (based on a “then-test”) with current SRH and prospectively measured change in SRH. Methods Data from two waves of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (2001–2003 and 2005–2006 [T0], n = 1894) were used. Retrospective change was defined as the difference between SRH at T0 (“current SRH”) and SRH measured with a then-test at T0, asking for a renewed judgement of one's health at the previous wave. Prospective change was defined as change in SRH between the two waves. We applied Cox proportional hazards analysis to predict 5-year mortality. Results Having poorer current SRH significantly predicted mortality (HR poor vs very good SRH = 4.42). Declined SRH was associated with higher mortality risk, but only when measured prospectively (one point decline vs no change HR = 1.33; two points decline HR = 1.95). After adjusting for current SRH, neither change measure predicted mortality. Results were similar in subgroups that did and did not experience incident diseases or limitations between the two waves. Conclusions Neither retrospective, nor prospective changes in SRH improved the prediction of mortality in older adults over current SRH. These results imply that using a standard single indicator for self-rated health in research or clinical practice might suffice to identify those with a high risk of future negative health outcomes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 13: 678–686.

Objective:Itis not clear whether the prevalence of psychosis increases withage. We studied the age-specific prevalence of psychotic symptoms in older people in Western Europe. Methods:Older people without dementia (age 65–104years, N=8762) from the western part of Europe in the EURODEP concerted action took part in psychiatric examinations. Results: In total, 2.4% of the men and 2.9% of the women had psychotic symptoms. Using a multilevel logistic regression model that included gender and age as a continuous variable, we found that a 5-year increase in age increased the prevalence of psychotic symptoms (odds ratio 1.2 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.3, p=0.001). A second multilevel regression model showed that wishing to be dead, depressed mood, functionaldisability, not being married and cognitive impairment measured with Mini mental state examination were all associated with psychotic symptoms whereas gender was not. Conclusion: The prevalence of psychotic symptoms in non-demented older people increases with age, and these symptoms are associated with other psychopathology, social isolation and problems with daily living. Copyright # 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In an earlier study we observed that a depressive syndrome was highly predictive of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in older persons with normal baseline cognition and higher levels of education. We interpreted these findings as the depression being an early noncognitive manifestation of AD in persons with more cognitive reserve. The present study examines whether specific symptoms of depression can be identified that predict AD among older subjects with higher levels of education. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: In the community-based Amsterdam Study of the Elderly (AMSTEL), a sample of 3,147 nondemented persons with normal cognition, 65 to 84 years old, was selected and divided into subjects with >8 years and 8 years and 31 with 8 years of education depressed mood and subjective bradyphrenia were strongly associated with incident AD. No association between depressive symptoms and AD was observed among subjects with

This study examines the impact of religiosity on the incidence and course of depressive syndromes in a community-based sample of elderly people in The Netherlands (n=177). The course of depression was assessed in five waves of measurements, covering a period of 1 year. Religiosity was defined as salience of religion compared to the salience of other aspects of life. Religious salience was not associated with incidence of depression, but showed a relatively strong association with improvement of depression among the respondents who were depressed at the first measurement. This association was most prominent among subjects with poor physical health.