Final answer:
The correct statement about theories of late-life depression is that older adults with depression and chronic illness experience more severe negative functional consequences. This touches on the interconnectedness of physical and mental health in old age. The role of stress in the pathophysiology of depression, particularly the involvement of the HPA axis, is nuanced and does not support the statement about decreased activity causing depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's understanding of theories of late-life depression can be demonstrated by the statement, "Older adults with depression and chronic illness have more serious negative functional consequences." This acknowledgment of the profound impact of depression in the presence of chronic illness on functional abilities in older adults aligns with the research that connects physical health, mental health, and aging. It is recognized that depression can negatively affect cognitive and physical capabilities, which in turn can complicate the management of chronic conditions and reduce overall life satisfaction in the elderly.
It's important to note that while stress and its physiological effects, such as the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, do contribute to the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD), the statement concerning "decreased activity in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis" causing depression1 is not entirely accurate. Instead, the evidence points towards an up-regulation or down-regulation of the HPA axis in the context of stress as being significant in the pathology of depression.
Furthermore, although there is a strong relationship between depression and cognitive decline, the statement that "Researchers have identified a cause-and-effect relationship between depression and dementia" is currently overreaching, as the exact nature of the relationship is still under investigation. The complexity of both conditions necessitates nuanced understanding rather than a simplified cause-and-effect dynamic. Lastly, while learning theories such as learned helplessness do contribute to our understanding of depression, the statement "Adverse events impair your ability to evaluate yourself" is too broad and does not specifically address late-life depression.