Cortisol Dysregulation and Protective Psychological Factors in Older Adulthood

Abstract

Stressful experiences may elicit hyper- and hypo-secretion of cortisol, which both can compromise quality of life. Psychological factors that are useful for managing stress experiences may ameliorate such patterns of dysregulation and protect quality of life. It is examined how stress experiences and psychological factors can shape cortisol dysregulation during older adulthood. Data from a 12-year longitudinal study of older adults were analyzed (Montreal Aging and Health Study; N = 215). Participants were assessed every 2 years. Measures included stress experiences, cortisol output, psychological factors (e.g., control strategies or self-compassion), and indicators of quality of life (e.g., well-being and health). Analyses were performed using hierarchical regression analyses and multi-level modeling. Higher, as compared to lower, levels of stress perceptions were associated with increased cortisol output (AUC) at the beginning of the study, but predicted relatively reduced cortisol output after 12 years. In addition, high and increasing stress perceptions predicted a flattening of cortisol slopes over 12 years. In terms of psychological factors, the use of control strategies, self-compassion, and self-esteem modulated cortisol output during the study period. Stressful experiences can be associated with a complex pattern of cortisol dysregulation in older adulthood, changing from hyper- to hypo-secretion of cortisol as stress experiences remain high or increase over longer periods of time. Psychological responses to stress may modulate this pattern and could play an important role in maintaining older adults’ quality of life. Implications for studying cortisol regulation and stress management in older adulthood are discussed.