Aging and the HPA axis: Stress and resilience in older adults. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gaffey, Allison E.; Bergeman, C.S.; Clark, Lee Anna; Wirth, Michelle M.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 68(2016)
• Page Start: 928
• Page End: 945
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Lifespan -- Human -- Stress -- HPA axis -- Resilience -- Cortisol -- Emotion -- Emotion regulation -- Social support; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: Higher diurnal cortisol and flatter slopes may be associated with aging. Emotion regulation and social support may both lower older adults' diurnal cortisol. We propose a resilience model of HPA axis activity, emotional and social resources. Abstract: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function may change over the course of aging, and altered diurnal or stress-induced secretion of the hormone cortisol could predispose older adults to negative health outcomes. We propose that psychological resilience may interact with diurnal cortisol to affect health outcomes later in life. Emotion regulation and social support are two constructs that contribute to resilience and exhibit age-specific patterns in older adults. Determining how the use of resilience resources interacts with age-related diurnal cortisol will improve our understanding of the pathways between stress, resilience, and well-being. In this review, we assess published studies evaluating diurnal cortisol in older adults to better understand differences in their HPA axis functioning. Evidence thus far suggests that diurnal cortisol may increase with age, although cross-sectional studies limit the conclusions that can be drawn. We also review extant evidence connecting age-specific signatures of emotion regulation and social support with diurnal cortisol. Conclusions are used to propose a preliminary model demonstrating how resilience resources may modulate the effects of cortisol on health in aging.