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Cited by 28Stress Responses and CortisolHealth disparities and outcomesHealth, psychology, and well-being

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

Rueggeberg, Rebecca, Wrosch, Carsten, Miller, Gregory E., McDade, Thomas W.·2012·Psychosomatic Medicine
DOI 10.1097/psy.0b013e3182732dc6
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Abstract

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 (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 Conclusions These findings suggest that lonely older adults may ameliorate biologic disturbances if they engage in self-protection to cope with their health threats.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Rueggeberg, R., Wrosch, C., Miller, G. E., & McDade, T. W.
Affiliations
  • Concordia University (CA)
  • Northwestern University (US)
Corresponding author
Wrosch, Carsten
ORCID
Venue
Psychosomatic Medicine
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2012-11
Volume
74
Issue
9
Pages
937-944
ISSN
0033-3174 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/psy.0b013e3182732dc6
OpenAlex
W1987853702
Cited by
28
References
15
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 3
FWCI
1.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Psychosomatic Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (89736)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health, psychology, and well-being
Keywords
loneliness, older adults, diurnal cortisol, C-reactive protein, positive reappraisal, self-blame, stress buffering, mediation, physiological stress response, inflammation
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Attitude to Health, C-Reactive Protein, Chronic Disease, Circadian Rhythm, Culture, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Loneliness, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Motivation, Problem Solving, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Self Care, Self Concept, Social Support, Health Behavior

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