Aging perceptions and self-efficacy mediate the association between personality traits and depressive symptoms in older adults

Authors:
O'SHEA D.M., DOTSON V.M., FIEO R.A.
Journal article citation:
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(12), 2017, pp.1217-1225.
Publisher:
Wiley

Objective: Personality traits have been shown to be predictors of depressive symptoms in late life. The authors examined whether other more modifiable sources of individual differences such as self-efficacy and self-perceptions of ageing would mediate the association between personality traits and depressive symptoms in older adults. Method: Data were obtained from 3,507 older adult participants who took part in the 2012 Health and Retirement Study. The “Big Five” personality traits, self-efficacy, ageing perceptions, and depressive symptoms were assessed. Mediation analyses tested the hypothesis that self-efficacy and ageing perceptions would mediate the relationship between personality traits and depressive symptoms. Results: All five personality traits were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Neuroticism was positively associated with depressive symptoms and had the greatest effect compared with the other personality traits. There was a significant indirect effect of neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness on depressive symptoms (including both mediators). The mediating effect of ageing perceptions on the relationship between neuroticism and depressive symptoms was the strongest compared with self-efficacy, accounting for approximately 80% of the total indirect effect. Conclusion: The authors results provide support for interventions aimed at improving self-perceptions related to efficacy and ageing in order to reduce depressive symptoms in older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
older people, ageing, attitudes, depression, mental health problems, personality, risk;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1099-1166
ISSN print:
0885-6230

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