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

Purpose: This research examined whether the frequencies of specific emotion s are associated with major and minor depression in older primary care pati ents. Design and Methods: Older primary care patients (N = 146), prescreene d with a depression questionnaire, completed a diagnostic interview and an emotions questionnaire. Results: Controlling for age, sex, and other psychi atric and medical illnesses, major depressives differed from nondepressed c ontrols in nine emotions; minor depressives differed from controls in four emotions. Major depressives differed from the controls more in sa ness, joy , and interest-but not anger, fear, or quilt-than in comparison sets of emo tions. Minor depressives differed from the controls more in sadness and inn er-directed hostility-but not quilt, anger, fear, joy, or interest-than in comparison sets of emotions. Implications: The frequencies of discrete emot ions are differentially associated with major and minor depression; future research is needed to determine their specific diagnostic and treatment imp lications.