Protective functions of health and self-esteem against depression in older adults facing illness or bereavement.
Four functions were examined by which health and self-esteem could ward off depression over time in older adults. Adults (N = 1,074)--55 years and older--were interviewed 5 times at 6-month intervals. Demographic and prevent depression controls were included. Neither health nor self-esteem served as an interactive buffer. Both had direct negative effects on depression, independent of events, over 2 years. Neither illnesses nor bereavements had direct effects on depression; both had indirect effects through other events; illness also had indirect effects by weakening health. Health had stronger preventive effect on illnesses but was more vulnerable to undesirable events than was self-esteem. There was little support for the specificity hypothesis that a close match between event and resource would increase resource effects.
Department of Psychology, University of Louisville, Kentucky 40292.
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Murrell
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Meeks
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Walker
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012649:Self Concept; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support