Abstract
This study examined links of cumulative and present depressive symptoms with present cortisol diurnal profiles in oldest-old adults. Five waves of data from 50 older adults (M age = 89.05 years; 64% women) who participated in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing were used to combine 15 years of longitudinal data with seven cortisol samples per day over a one-week period. Findings revealed that individuals with more past depressive symptoms showed a lower cortisol awakening response (CAR). Interestingly, present depressive symptoms were not associated with the CAR. These findings inform our understanding of distal health factors in very old age.
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Notes on contributors
Helena Chui
Helena Chui, School of Psychology, Flinders University; Christiane A. Hoppmann, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia; Denis Gerstorf, Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University; Ruth Walker, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University; Mary A. Luszcz, School of Psychology & Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University.
Christiane A. Hoppmann
Helena Chui, School of Psychology, Flinders University; Christiane A. Hoppmann, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia; Denis Gerstorf, Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University; Ruth Walker, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University; Mary A. Luszcz, School of Psychology & Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University.
Denis Gerstorf
Helena Chui, School of Psychology, Flinders University; Christiane A. Hoppmann, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia; Denis Gerstorf, Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University; Ruth Walker, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University; Mary A. Luszcz, School of Psychology & Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University.
Ruth Walker
Helena Chui, School of Psychology, Flinders University; Christiane A. Hoppmann, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia; Denis Gerstorf, Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University; Ruth Walker, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University; Mary A. Luszcz, School of Psychology & Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University.
Mary A. Luszcz
Helena Chui, School of Psychology, Flinders University; Christiane A. Hoppmann, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia; Denis Gerstorf, Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University; Ruth Walker, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University; Mary A. Luszcz, School of Psychology & Flinders Centre for Ageing Studies, Flinders University.