Psychological Predictors of Anxiety and Depression in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review

Objectives - Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, affecting the motor system with psychological difficulties also frequently reported. While explanations for psychological difficulties are historically situated within a biomedical framework, more recently the relevance of psychological determinants has become a research focus. This review therefore examines this relationship with the two most commonly reported psychological difficulties (anxiety and depression) in people with PD.

Methods - Databases were systematically searched up to 17 December 2013, identifying twenty-four studies meeting inclusion criteria.

Results - Significant predictors of heightened anxiety and depression included: increased emotion-focused coping; less problem-focused coping; lower perceived control; more dominant beliefs about PD as part of a person’s identity, and influence on life; less social support and more avoidant personality types.

Conclusions - Relationships between some specific psychological predictors and depression and anxiety seem well supported. The complexity of relationships between these psychological determinants should be taken into consideration when delivering psychological interventions.