Self-esteem change and diurnal cortisol secretion in older adulthood.
OBJECTIVE
Research suggests that self-esteem can decline in older adulthood. This process could remove a buffer that normally protects individuals against distress-related changes in cortisol secretion. We examined this possibility by testing whether change in self-esteem would predict alterations in cortisol secretion, particularly among older adults who reported high levels of depressive symptoms or perceived stress.


METHODS
147 older adults (aged 60+) completed three days of diurnal cortisol measurements at three different time points, namely every two years over a total period of four years. Measures of self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and perceived stress were assessed at T1 and T2. Potential demographic and health-related confounds were measured at baseline (partnership status, SES, mortality risk index, and medication).


RESULTS
Linear regression models indicated that a decline in self-esteem from T1 to T2 predicted elevated cortisol output (AUCG) from T2 to T3, F (1, 137)=8.09, β=-.25, R(2)=.05, p=.005. Interaction analyses revealed that this association was particularly strong among participants who experienced higher T1 or T2 levels of depressive symptoms or perceived stress, +1SD: βs=-.34 to -.51, ps<.001, but not significant among their counterparts who reported relatively lower levels of depressive symptoms or perceived stress, -1SD: βs=.03 to 11, ps>.43.


CONCLUSIONS
Declines in self-esteem represent a mechanism that contributes to higher levels of diurnal cortisol secretion if older adults experience psychological distress. Increases in self-esteem, by contrast, can ameliorate older adults' cortisol regulation in stressful circumstances.
Concordia University, Montreal H4B 1R6, Canada.
Sarah Y
SY
Liu
Concordia University, Montreal H4B 1R6, Canada. Electronic address: carsten.wrosch@concordia.ca.
Carsten
C
Wrosch
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, USA.
Gregory E
GE
Miller
McGill University, Montreal H4H 1R3 Canada.
Jens C
JC
Pruessner
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D006854:Hydrocortisone
Depressive symptoms; Diurnal cortisol secretion; Older adulthood; Perceived stress; Self-esteem