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Self‐perceptions of aging mediate the longitudinal relationship of hopelessness and depressive symptoms
Author(s) -
Gum Amber M.,
Ayalon Liat
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.4826
Subject(s) - mediation , psychology , depressive symptoms , clinical psychology , perception , conceptualization , longitudinal study , depression (economics) , medicine , cognition , psychiatry , pathology , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , political science , computer science , law , economics , macroeconomics
Objectives The purpose of the current study was to examine the hypothesis that the prospective relationship between hopelessness and depressive symptoms is mediated by self‐perceptions of aging. Methods Data from 3 waves of the US Health and Retirement Study (2008, 2012, and 2014) were used (N = 4606; age M = 65.3, 55.5% female). In mediation analyses, hopelessness in 2008 was the independent variable, self‐perceptions of aging in 2012 were the mediator, and depressive symptoms in 2014 were the outcome variable. Results After controlling for covariates, hopelessness in 2008 was an independent predictor of self‐perceptions of aging in 2012 ( β = −.10, P < .001), and self‐perceptions of aging in 2012 was an independent predictor of depressive symptoms in 2014 ( β = −.41, P < .001). Hopelessness in 2008 showed both direct ( β = .09, P < .001) and indirect ( β = .03, P < .001) effects on depressive symptoms in 2014, indicating partial mediation by change in self‐perceptions of aging. Conclusions As hypothesized, change in self‐perceptions of aging partially mediated the relationship of hopelessness with depressive symptoms 6 years later. Findings are consistent with a conceptualization of hopelessness as broad negative expectations about the future that may contribute to negative self‐perceptions of aging and subsequent changes in depressive symptoms. Reducing hopelessness, increasing hope, and improving self‐perceptions of aging have potential to reduce and prevent depressive symptoms for older adults. Future research should examine the mechanisms of these interrelationships and other aging outcomes.