TitleSpousal loss predicts alterations in diurnal cortisol activity through prospective changes in positive emotion.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsOng, AD, Fuller-Rowell, TE, Bonanno, GA, Almeida, DM
JournalHealth Psychol
Volume30
Issue2
Pagination220-7
Date Published2011 Mar
ISSN1930-7810
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Bereavement, Circadian Rhythm, Death, Emotions, Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Spouses, United States
Abstract

<p><b>OBJECTIVE: </b>The objective of this study was to examine the role of spousal bereavement and positive emotion in naturally occurring levels of daily cortisol.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>Analyses were conducted using data from the Midlife in the United States survey and the National Study of Daily Experiences. Baseline assessments of extraversion, neuroticism, trait positive emotion, and trait negative emotion were obtained, as were reports of demographic and health behavior covariates. Salivary cortisol levels were measured at wakeup, 30 min after awakening, before lunch, and at bedtime on each of 4 successive days.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Multilevel growth curve analyses indicated that independent of age, gender, education, extraversion, neuroticism, negative emotion, medication use, and smoking, spousal bereavement was associated with lower levels of cortisol at wakeup and a flattening of the diurnal cortisol rhythm. Mediation analyses revealed that prospective changes in positive emotion accounted for the impact of bereavement on diurnal cortisol slopes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION: </b>The current prospective study is among the first to provide evidence for a role for positive emotion as a mechanism by which bereavement influences hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation in older adults.</p>

DOI10.1037/a0022262
Alternate JournalHealth Psychol
PubMed ID21401256
PubMed Central IDPMC3076671
Grant ListP01 AG020166 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P01 AG020166-05 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32 MH018931 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
T32 MH18931 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States