Title | Age, Daily Stress Processes, and Allostatic Load: A Longitudinal Study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Piazza, JR, Stawski, RS, Sheffler, JL |
Journal | J Aging Health |
Volume | 31 |
Issue | 9 |
Pagination | 1671-1691 |
Date Published | 10/2019 |
ISSN | 1552-6887 |
Keywords | Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Allostasis, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Stress, Psychological, Surveys and Questionnaires, United States |
Abstract | The present study examined age differences in the association between daily stressors and allostatic load. Participants consisted of 317 adults (34-84 years) who participated in Waves 1 (1996-1997) and 2 (between 2005 and 2009) of the Midlife Development in the United States Survey. During Wave 1, participants reported the stressors they encountered across eight consecutive days. Within-person affective reactivity slopes indexing change in negative affect from a nonstressor day to a stressor day were calculated for each participant. Affective reactivity and stressor exposure scores at Wave 1 were used to predict allostatic load at Wave 2. Heightened levels of affective reactivity at Wave 1 predicted elevated levels of allostatic load at Wave 2 but only among older adults who also reported high levels of stressor exposure. No significant associations emerged for younger adults. Daily stress processes may be one pathway through which age-related physical health declines occur. |
DOI | 10.1177/0898264318788493 |
Alternate Journal | J Aging Health |
PubMed ID | 30019595 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC6312754 |
Grant List | R03 AG047955 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States U19 AG051426 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |