Social Rhythms, Depressive Symptoms, and Quality of Life: An Unbreakable Bond in an Older Adult Sample.

May 27, 2026International journal of environmental research and public health

Strong Links Between Daily Social Patterns, Depression, and Life Quality in Older Adults

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Abstract

Greater social rhythm dysregulation is significantly associated with higher depressive symptom levels (r = 0.41,< 0.001) and lower perceived quality of life (r = -0.39,< 0.001).

Social rhythm dysregulation and depressive symptoms are independently associated with poorer quality of life.
In multivariate analyses, rhythm dysregulation (β = -0.1863,< 0.001) predicted quality of life negatively.
Depressive symptoms (β = -0.2885,= 0.037) also predicted poorer quality of life independently.
The study highlights the importance of social rhythm regulation in community-dwelling older adults.

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BACKGROUND: Disruptions in social and circadian rhythms are increasingly recognized as key contributors to depressive symptomatology and impaired quality of life, particularly in older adults, for whom daily regularity represents a crucial determinant of psychological and functional stability. Understanding the interplay between rhythm dysregulation, mood disturbances, and perceived well-being may inform preventive strategies in aging populations.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the association between social rhythm dysregulation, depressive symptoms, and perceived quality of life in a sample of community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 119 older adults (mean age 72.26 ± 4.72 years) enrolled in an active aging program. Social rhythms were assessed using the Brief Social Rhythm Scale (BSRS), depressive symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and health-related quality of life with the SF-12 Health Survey. Pearson correlation analyses and multiple linear regression models were applied.

RESULTS: Greater social rhythm dysregulation was significantly associated with higher depressive symptom levels (r = 0.41,< 0.001) and lower perceived quality of life (r = -0.39,< 0.001). In multivariate analyses, both rhythm dysregulation (β = -0.1863,< 0.001) and depressive symptoms (β = -0.2885,= 0.037) independently predicted poorer quality of life. p p p p

CONCLUSIONS: In community-dwelling older adults, irregular social rhythms and depressive symptoms are independently and jointly associated with reduced quality of life. These findings highlight social rhythm regulation as a relevant and potentially modifiable target for preventive and supportive interventions aimed at promoting mental well-being and resilience in later life.

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Social Rhythms, Depressive Symptoms, and Quality of Life: An Unbreakable Bond in an Older Adult Sample.

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