title: Possible selves and depressive symptoms in later life.
abstract: The pursuit of personal goals has been linked to general psychological well-being; however, less is known about the association with depression in later adulthood when individuals are contending with age-related changes in health and social relationships. We explored the connection between both health- and social related goals (as measured by possible selves) and depressive symptoms in a sample of 85 community-dwelling older adults who ranged in age from 60 to 92 (M = 74, standard deviation = 7.5). Participants took part in face-to-face, semistructured interviews in which they responded to measures of possible selves (future images of oneself), health, and depressive symptoms. We found that the presence of health-related, but not social-related, possible selves was significantly associated with fewer reported depressive symptoms. Additionally, the presence of health-related fears was specifically linked to fewer reported depressive symptoms. These findings suggested that the promotion of and investment in health-related personal goals may be useful in off-setting depressive symptoms in older adults, as well as indicated a potential benefit of a disease prevention focus regarding health in later life. Finally, the results may have implications for potential clinical interventions in addressing late-life depression.
authors: Washington State University Vancouver, Vancouver, WA, USA bolkan@vancouver.wsu.edu.
authors: Cory
authors: C
authors: Bolkan
authors: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Hooker
authors: Oregon State University, Cascades Campus, Bend, OR, US Juniper Ridge Clinic, Bend, OR, USA.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Coehlo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: depressive symptoms; goals; health; possible selves