Negative life events and depressive symptoms in late life: Buffering effects of parental and partner bonding?

Abstract

The buffering function of parental and partner bonding in the relationship between negative life events and depressive symptoms at old age was examined. A community sample of 194 people aged 65 years and older was interviewed. In particular, the control dimension of both parental and partner bonding seems to be of importance in relation to elderly depression: More psychological control is related to higher depression scores, and low partner control seems to work as a protective mechanism when negative life events are faced. Developing prevention and intervention programs aimed at optimizing bonding relationships throughout life seems advisable.

Perceived parental bonding, fear of failure and stress during class presentations

“…With regard to the presence of depression, one of the study's outcomes, perceived parental bonding has been implicated as a cause (e.g., Myhr, Sookman, & Pinard, 2004;Uehara, Sato, Sakado, & Someya, 1998) or the cause for maladaptive parenting based on the early bonding experiences. Strong positive relations are often reported between depression and overprotective parenting (Carter et al, 2001;Mancini, D'Olimpio, Prunetti, Didonna, & Del Genio, 2000) and the opposite is true regarding caring parenting (Kraaij & Garnefski, 2002;Martin, Bergen, Roeger, & Allison, 2004;Sato, Uehara, Narita, Sakado, & Fujii, 2000).…”

Depression in Older Adults

“…Somatic symptoms seen in older adults with depression might include the following: sleep disturbances, insecure attachments to loved ones, headaches, psychomotor retardation or agitation, loss of appetite, metabolic disturbance, decreased libido, physical illness, and impaired cerebral functions (Koenig, 1999;Kraaij & Garnefski, 2002;Waters & Goodman, 1990). A second category, dysphoric symptoms, may be observed in older adults with depression; symptoms in this group might include a despairing mood, reduction in drive, and mental pain associated with physical experiences (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-Fields, 2002).…”

“…A lack of social support and/or bonding relationships also contributes to the rate of depression in older adults (Kraaij & Garnefski, 2002). Some older adults are faced with fewer social outlets as their children and their families relocate and as deaths occur among friends, siblings, and/or spouse.…”

Which categories of social and lifestyle activities moderate the association between negative life events and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in Japan?

“…This means that the association between NLEs and depressive symptoms could be moderated by some factors (Kraaij and Garnefski, 2002). These moderators (Baron and Kenny, 1986) can alter the direction and/or strength of the association between NLEs and depressive symptoms.…”

“…While older adults experience a variety of NLEs, not all of those in stressful situations are predisposed to exhibit depressive disorders. This means that the association between NLEs and depressive symptoms could be moderated by some factors (Kraaij and Garnefski, 2002). These moderators (Baron and Kenny, 1986) can alter the direction and/or strength of the association between NLEs and depressive symptoms.…”