P90: The indirect role of supportive dyadic coping in the association between self- perceptions of aging and depression

Abstract

Objective:

it has been shown that having negative-self perceptions of aging significantly predicts depressive symptomatology. Although the partner relationship may have an impact on the effects of perception of aging on distress, the number of studies assessing the effect of partner on negative self-perception of aging and mental health is limited. The stress of one partner may elicit dyadic coping (DC) responses in the other partner. The stress of one partner may elicit dyadic coping responses in the other partner. Depending on whether the responses are positive (supportive) or negative (hostile)a close relationship can go along with additional stress or resources and benefits. The present study analyzes the relationship between negative self-stereotypes and depressive symptomatology, considering the partner’s dyadic coping as a moderator variable in this association.

Method:

Participants were 365 individuals (59.3% women) 40 years or older (M= 60.86, SD=10.66) involved in a marital/partner relationship. Participants completed a questionnaire that included the variables: negative self-perception of aging, positive DC (e.g., “My partner shows empathy and understanding to me”), negative DC (e.g., “When I am stressed, my partner tends to withdraw”), and depressive symptomatology. Two moderation models were tested by linear regression: the first considered positive DC and the second negative DC as a moderator in the relationship between negative self-perception of aging and depressive symptoms.

Results:

The effect of negative self-perceptions of aging on depressive symptoms was smaller among those who perceived higher levels of positive DC and lower levels of negative DC by their partners than among those perceiving lower positive DC and higher negative DC. The influence of supportive dyadic coping was higher when the levels of negative self-perception of aging were higher. Gender was a determinant factor in the moderation.

Conclusions:

Positive DC mitigates the negative effects of negative self-perception of aging on wellbeing (by the mechanism of moderation), while negative DC amplifies this association and goes along with lower well-being in persons who report negative self-perceptions of aging. Training couples in supportive dyadic coping may be a resource to buffer the negative effect of negative self-perceptions of aging on well-being.