| Major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are common chronic affective disorders. Higher levels of psychological well-being (PWB), defined in this study by environmental mastery, purpose in life, and positive relations with others, are associated with lower severity of affective disorders. To date, few have studied the relationship between dimensions of PWB, psychopathology, and duration. The current study extends the literature by examining 1) how PWB differs in mid-to-late life adults with different affective disorders and in healthy controls and 2) if PWB is influenced by how long an individual has had the disorder.;Adults aged 52 to 98 years old (n=101) were split into four diagnostic groups: 1) major depressive disorder (MDD) only (n = 30), 2) generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) only (n = 27), 3) co-morbid GAD and MDD (n=14), and 4) non-clinical control (n=30). All completed a clinical interview and various symptom and PWB self-report measures.;Those with affective disorders endorsed generally lower levels of psychological well-being (PWB) than healthy controls. While lower than the control group, those with GAD reported higher levels of PWB than those with MDD or comorbid GAD/MDD. Individuals with MDD scored lower on all facets of PWB than controls, particularly environmental mastery. Overall, the comorbid GAD/MDD group endorsed the lowest scores of PWB, suggesting a possible cumulative negative effect. Greater MDD severity was associated with lower levels on all facets of PWB. In general, depression and its severity seem to have more negative impacts on overall PWB than symptoms of anxiety.;This study did not find any associations between length of affective disorder and psychological well-being (PWB). Older age was associated with higher levels of PWB in those with any affective disorder, and in GAD specifically. In those with MDD, women reported higher environmental mastery and purpose in life than men. Women also endorsed higher levels of positive relations with others, but only in the control group. Higher levels of worry were associated with lower environmental mastery in the control group and with all factors of PWB in the comorbid GAD/MDD group. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed. |
