Abstract
Background/Objectives: Depression is the most common mental health problem in older adults and is closely associated with meaning in life. This study aimed to investigate the interconnections between depressive symptoms and meaning in life and their association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults using a network analysis. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed between July and August 2021. The 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D), the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, and the EQ-5D-3L were used. Central and bridge symptoms were identified using strength and bridge strength. Furthermore, a flow network was employed to examine whether depressive symptoms and meaning in life were associated with HRQoL. Results: Overall, 213 community-dwelling older adults participated. "Sadness," "loneliness," and "depressed" were found to be the central symptoms in the depressive symptoms and meaning in life network. "Presence of meaning" and "inability to get going" each had the highest bridge strength values in the depressive symptoms and meaning in life network. Moreover, "inability to get going", "loneliness", and "everything was an effort" had the strongest relationships with HRQoL. Conclusions: This study highlights the inter-relationships between depressive symptoms, meaning in life, and HRQoL. Interventions targeting the central and bridging symptoms are crucial for reducing depressive symptoms associated with a low sense of meaning in life among older adults. These findings offer insights to inform symptom-focused interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms (i.e., affective symptoms, loneliness, and motivational deficit) and at enhancing meaning in aging populations.