Abstract
This study examined the relation between perceived stress and time perspective (views of past, present, future) in a population-based sample of older adults (65–90 years, N = 340). The Perceived Questionnaire (PSQ index) was used to measure stress and the Swedish version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (S-ZTPI) was used to operationalize time perspective. Unlike the original inventory, S-ZTPI separates positive and negative aspects of a future time perspective and we hypothesized that the Future Negative (FN) scale would be important to account for variations in stress. Additionally, associations with Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism were examined, motivated by prior associations of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with stress (or “anxiety”) related personality traits. In line with the hypotheses, FN was the strongest predictor of PSQ index scores in multiple regression analyses. In a related vein, the dichotomization of the unitary Future scale increased the association between PSQ scores and a measure of deviations from a balanced time perspective, i.e., the difference between a proposed optimal and observed ZTPI profile. Finally, higher levels of stress as well as higher scores on FN were observed in COMT Val/Val carriers, at least among men. This suggests a shared dopaminergic genetic influence on these variables. Collectively, the results demonstrate that perceived stress is closely linked to time perspective and highlight the need to take negative aspects of a future temporal orientation into account to understand this relation.
Highlights
Physiological and hormonal reactions in response to external or internal “stressors” that threaten homeostasis, may be adaptive in the short run, but durable stress may exert an adverse influence on many aspects of mental and physical health (Schneiderman et al, 2005)
In the present study we focused on perceived stress in older adults in relation to an individual differences factor regarded to be stable and trait-like, namely time perspective, and the relations of both variables to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the COMT gene
To elucidate the relation between stress and time perspective we examined both factors in relation to the functional Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphism (Val158Met)
Summary
Physiological and hormonal reactions in response to external or internal “stressors” that threaten homeostasis, may be adaptive in the short run, but durable stress may exert an adverse influence on many aspects of mental and physical health (Schneiderman et al, 2005). High levels of perceived stress tend to be less prevalent among older compared with younger or middle-aged adults (e.g., Bergdahl and Bergdahl, 2002; Vasunilashorn et al, 2005), still could have serious consequences. Elevated and durable stress in old age may accelerate memory decline, in particular when combined with a genetic vulnerability (e.g., Peavy et al, 2007), increase the risk of conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to dementia (Peavy et al, 2013) and. Time Perspective and Perceived Stress predict mortality (Aldwin et al, 2011). It becomes increasingly important to identify factors that modulate stress in late adulthood
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