Family functioning and negative emotions in older adults: the mediating role of self-integrity and the moderating role of self-stereotyping

Abstract

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine a possible mediator role of self-integrity and a moderator role of self-stereotyping in the relationship between family functioning and negative emotions in older adults.

Method

A total of 1186 older adults participated in the current study. They completed measures related to family functioning, self-integrity, self-stereotyping, depression, anxiety, and loneliness.

Results

Older adults with family dysfunction experienced more negative emotions than those with healthy family functioning, a finding which could be explained by the levels of self-integrity. Older adults with high levels of self-stereotyping, unhealthy family functioning, and low self-integrity were significantly more likely to be depressed and anxious than those with low levels of self-stereotyping.

Conclusion

Family functioning negatively predicted negative emotions, self-integrity mediated the link between family functioning and negative emotions, and self-stereotyping moderated the direct and indirect effects of family functioning on depression and anxiety via self-integrity.

Keywords:

• Family functioning
• negative emotions
• self-integrity
• self-stereotyping

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The current legal retirement age in China is 60 years for men and 55 years for women. Therefore, the target population consisted of older adults aged 55 (female) or 60 (male) and above.

2 Before applied to this study, the self-integrity scale was validated by employing another two independent samples of Chinese older adults (n₁ = 377 and n₂ = 383). Results indicated that the one-factor structure of the scale was supported by both EFA and CFA (χ²/df = 2.31, RMSEA = .06, CFI = .98, TLI = .97). Additionally, self-integrity positively predicted self-esteem (β = .52, p < .001). Cronbach’s α for the scale in the two samples were .83 and .86, respectively. Therefore, this scale has good validity and reliability in the Chinese culture.

3 The self-stereotyping scale was validated for the Chinese culture by employing the same two independent samples as were used to validate self-integrity scale. The results indicated that three-factor structure of self-stereotyping scale was supported by both EFA and CFA (χ²/df = 1.30, RMSEA = .03, CFI = .98, TLI = .97). Additionally, self-stereotyping can significantly predicted attitudes toward aging (β = -.22, p < .001). Cronbach’s α for the scale in the two samples were .73 and .71, respectively. Therefore, this scale has good validity and reliability in the Chinese culture.

4 The data from four participants were complete except for missing gender information. Whether or not these four participants were included did not significantly affect the results. Therefore, we decided to retain these four participants.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The National Social Science Fund of China (17BSH153).