Objectives: We assessed whether distinct classes of depression symptoms could be identified. In addition, we determined how these classes differed in terms of health status. Methods: Data were analyzed with latent profile analysis. MANOVA tests were used to compare the health status of the various classes. Results: A four-class model had the best fit. Classes were labeled according to participants’ responses to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) items and their overall score: low depression symptoms, high depression symptoms, subthreshold with anhedonia, and subthreshold with anhedonia and negative interpersonal feelings. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses showed that health status differed across classes. Conclusions: The results provide support for the idea that there is heterogeneity in the presentation of depression symptoms among older adults. These data showed that about a third of our sample of older adults reported increased levels of anhedonia and that negative interpersonal feelings were uncommon.
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