Long-Term Relationship between Psychological Distress and Continuous Sedentary Behavior in Healthy Older Adults: A Three Panel Study

Background and objectives: Psychological distress (PD) is associated with continuous sedentary behaviors (CSB; based on the ratio of 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) sessions or more continuing for over 30 min) in older adults, but the long-term relation is not sufficiently clarified. This study aims to clarify the long-term relationship between PD and the rate of CSB. Materials and Methods: In this secondary analysis, a sample population of 72 healthy elderly people aged 65 years or older participated in a health club of college A from 2016 to 2018. We conducted structural equation modeling (SEM) using the cross-lagged and synchronous effects models. We adopted the following as proxy variables: CSB and PD (based on the Kessler 6 scale (K6) scores). Results: “2016 K6” to“2017 CSB” (standardization factor (β = 0.141, p = 0.025), “2017 K6” to “2018 CSB” (β = 0.187, p < 0.001) and “2016 CSB” to “2018 CSB” (β = 0.188, p < 0.001) were all statistically significant using the cross-lagged effects models. Fit indices were adjusted goodness of fit index (AGFI) = 0.961, comparative fit index (CFI) = 1.000, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.000. Conclusion: The results suggest that PD may affect the ratio of CSB one year later, and CSB may affect the ratio of PD two year later.