MEANING PREDICTS DECLINES IN DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS BUT DOESN'T BUFFER STRESS IN A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, C; Clark, E M; R Williams, B; Schulz, E; Williams, R M; Holt, C L
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 433
• Page End: 433
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Meaning in life is associated with a range of mental and physical health indicators, suggesting that it may be an important intrapersonal resource in maintaining wellbeing. Most of this research, however, is of relatively poor design (cross-sectional, convenience samples, overlapping constructs). Many important questions remain, including whether meaning has direct or moderated effects (i.e., is particularly influential in conditions of high stress, or by age, income, or gender). In a national sample of 676 African Americans, we rigorously examined meaning in life as a prospective predictor of changes in depressive symptoms over 2.5 years. Controlling for demographics and hassles and uplifts, meaning predicted decreases in depressive symptoms over time and was positively associated with age. No moderation effects were found for meaning in life on depressive symptoms by hassles, age, income, or gender. Results suggest meaning in life is a robust predictor of subsequent depression unconditional by circumstance or demographics.