Associations between health-related self-protection, diurnal cortisol, and C-reactive protein in lonely older adults

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether health-related self-protection (e.g., using positive reappraisals or avoiding self-blame) prevents lonely older adults from exhibiting increases in diurnal cortisol secretion and higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: This longitudinal study (n = 122) examined diurnal cortisol levels (area under the curve) at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Levels of CRP were measured at 6-year follow-up. The main predictors included baseline levels of loneliness and health-related self-protection.

Results: Among lonely participants, baseline self-protection predicted an amelioration of 2-year increases in diurnal cortisol volume (β = -.34, p = .03) and lower levels of CRP at 6-year follow-up (β = -.42, p = .006). These significant associations were not found among nonlonely participants (β < .14, p = .33). In addition, mediation analyses demonstrated that the buffering effect of self-protection on lonely older adults' levels of CRP at 6-year follow-up was statistically mediated by 2-year changes in cortisol volume (β = -.16, p = .06).

Conclusions: These findings suggest that lonely older adults may ameliorate biologic disturbances if they engage in self-protection to cope with their health threats.