Associations Between Health-Related Self-Protection, Diurnal Cortisol, and C-Reactive Protein in Lonely Older Adults

作者：Rueggeberg Rebecca; Wrosch Carsten^*; Miller Gregory E; McDade Thomas W

来源：Psychosomatic Medicine, 2012, 74(9): 937-944.

DOI：10.1097/PSY.06013e3182732dc6

• diurnal cortisol
• C-reactive protein
• loneliness
• self-protection
• Aging

Objectives: 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 (beta = -.34, p = .03) and lower levels of CRP at 6-year follow-up (beta = -.42, p = .006). These significant associations Were not found among nonlonely participants (beta %26lt; .14, p = .33). In addition, mediation analyses demonstrated that the buffering effect of self-protection on lonely older adults%26apos; levels of CRP at 6-year follow-up was statistically mediated by 2-year changes in cortisol volume (beta = -.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.

• 出版日期2012-12
• 单位西北大学