Ego-integrity versus ego-despair: the effect of "accepting the past" on depression in older women.
The relative strength of the later-life personality process of ego-integrity, as operationalized by "accepting the past," was tested as a predictor of depression in a multivariate model containing other well established predictors-age, social support, physical dependency, and positive and negative affectivity. Seventy-three older Australian women living in supported accommodation completed an anonymous, self-report questionnaire. The results showed that "accepting the past" was a significant predictor in the multivariate model, along with social support, physical dependency, and positive affectivity. The results are discussed in terms of the utility of investigating later-life personality processes as potential interventions for alleviating depression in older people.
Rylands
K J
KJ
University of Canberra, Australia.
Rickwood
D J
DJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health