کد مقاله کد نشریه سال انتشار مقاله انگلیسی نسخه تمام متن
890752 914007 2013 5 صفحه PDF دانلود رایگان
عنوان انگلیسی مقاله ISI
Adaptive midlife defense mechanisms and late-life health
موضوعات مرتبط
علوم زیستی و بیوفناوری علم عصب شناسی علوم اعصاب رفتاری
پیش نمایش صفحه اول مقاله
Adaptive midlife defense mechanisms and late-life health
چکیده انگلیسی

A growing body of research suggests that personality characteristics relate to physical health; however, this relationship has primarily been tested in cross-sectional studies that have not followed the participants into old age. The present study utilizes data from a 70-year longitudinal study to prospectively examine the relationship between the adaptive defense mechanisms in midlife and objectively assessed physical health in late life. In addition to examining the direct effect, we test whether social support mediates this relationship. The sample consisted of 90 men who were followed for over seven decades beginning in late adolescence. Health ratings from medical records were made at three time points (ages 70, 75, and 80). Defense mechanisms were coded from narratives by trained independent raters (Vaillant, Bond, & Vaillant, 1986). Independent raters assessed social supports between ages 50 and 70. More adaptive defenses in midlife were associated with better physical health at all three time points in late life. These relationships were partially mediated by social support. Findings are consistent with the theory that defense maturity is important for building social relationships, which in turn contribute to better late-life physical health. Psychological interventions aimed at improving these domains may be beneficial for physical health.


► We use data from a 70 year longitudinal study to examine objective late life health outcomes.
► Midlife adaptive defense mechanisms were associated with late life health outcomes.
► Social support mediated the relationship between adaptive defense mechanisms and health.

ناشر
Database: Elsevier - ScienceDirect (ساینس دایرکت)
Journal: Personality and Individual Differences - Volume 55, Issue 2, July 2013, Pages 85–89
نویسندگان
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