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Longitudinal predictors of non‐aggressive agitated behaviors in the elderly
Author(s) -
CohenMansfield Jiska,
Werner Perla
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199910)14:10<831::aid-gps29>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - psychology , affect (linguistics) , depression (economics) , cognition , longitudinal study , clinical psychology , population , aggression , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , developmental psychology , psychiatry , medicine , medical emergency , environmental health , communication , pathology , economics , macroeconomics
Longitudinal predictors of physically and verbally non‐aggressive inappropriate behaviors were examined in 200 community‐dwelling elderly persons attending senior day care centers. Models based on ratings obtained from staff members and family caregivers were compared. Multiple factors contributed simultaneously to the prediction of non‐aggressive behaviors. Similar to previous cross‐sectional results, physically non‐aggressive behaviors were predicted mainly by good health and cognitive impairment. In addition, depression emerged consistently as a predictor of physically non‐aggressive behaviors in all models. Verbally non‐aggressive behaviors were predicted by depressed affect and pain, confirming previous suggestions that these behaviors are related to discomfort. The relationship of these behaviors with cognitive functioning was relatively weak. Understanding the etiologies of non‐aggressive problem behaviors can aid in developing appropriate care for this population. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.