Exploring the interplay between control beliefs, cortisol levels and depression in old age: Is feeling in control always beneficial?
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus, vol. 1, pp. 100050
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between levels of mastery/conscientiousness and cortisol response in older adults, considering depression status. Based on former research we hypothesized that high and low and not intermediate levels of mastery/conscientiousness would correlate with high cortisol response, particularly in depressed individuals. Data from the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons (NESDO) were analyzed. Respondents were categorized into low, intermediate, and high mastery/conscientiousness groups. Regression analyses examined associations between mastery/conscientiousness and evening cortisol (N=412) and cortisol awakening response (N=370), stratified by depression status. Histograms were created to visualize the results. No significant associations were found between mastery/conscientiousness and cortisol response, irrespective of depression status. Our findings do not suggest that low or high levels of mastery/conscientiousness increase stress in depressed older adults compared to those with intermediate levels, nor do they differ from non-depressed individuals.
Authors 5
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Fatima M. Kabia corresponding
Dimence · Amsterdam Public Health · Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dimence, Specialized Mental Health Care, Almelo, The Netherlands
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Amsterdam Public Health · GGZ inGeest · Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherland
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Affiliation as printed
GGZ Centraal, Specialized Mental Health Care, Amersfoort, The Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Amsterdam Public Health · GGZ inGeest · Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Mental Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
GGZ inGeest Specialized Mental Health Care, Amsterdam, The Netherland
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