title: Associations between health-related self-protection, diurnal cortisol, and C-reactive protein in lonely older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine whether health-related self-protection (e.g., using positive reappraisals or avoiding self-blame) prevents lonely older adults from exhibiting increases in diurnal cortisol secretion and higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  This longitudinal study (n = 122) examined diurnal cortisol levels (area under the curve) at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Levels of CRP were measured at 6-year follow-up. The main predictors included baseline levels of loneliness and health-related self-protection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among lonely participants, baseline self-protection predicted an amelioration of 2-year increases in diurnal cortisol volume (β = -.34, p = .03) and lower levels of CRP at 6-year follow-up (β = -.42, p = .006). These significant associations were not found among nonlonely participants (β < .14, p = .33). In addition, mediation analyses demonstrated that the buffering effect of self-protection on lonely older adults' levels of CRP at 6-year follow-up was statistically mediated by 2-year changes in cortisol volume (β = -.16, p = .06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that lonely older adults may ameliorate biologic disturbances if they engage in self-protection to cope with their health threats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rueggeberg
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wrosch
authors.forename: Gregory E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: McDade
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D006854:Hydrocortisone