TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-esteem and neuroendocrine response to challenge
T2 - MacArthur studies of successful aging
AU - Seeman, Teresa E.
AU - Berkman, Lisa F.
AU - Gulanski, Barbara I.
AU - Robbins, Richard J.
AU - Greenspan, Susan L.
AU - Charpentier, Peter A.
AU - Rowe, John W.
N1 - Funding Information:
Ackno,~ledgrmmrs~This research was supported by the MacArthur Research Network on Successful Aging through a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, NIA-SERCA Grant AG00586-01 (to TES) and NIH GCRC Grant #R00125 to the Clinical Research Center. School of Medicine. Yale University. The authors would also like to acknowledge Gaylord Rehabilitation Hospital for their cooperation and use of their DORON Model L-225 driving simulator for the Driving Challenge.
PY - 1995/1
Y1 - 1995/1
N2 - The role of self-esteem in modulating patterns of neuroendocrine response to challenge at older ages was examined in 16 healthy 70-yr-olds. Responses to two challenges were examined: (1) a driving simulation designed to reflect a 'real life' challenge situation; and (2) a pharmacologic, corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH) challenge (1 μg/kg). Both challenges evoked significant elevations in cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Levels of self-esteem were significantly and negatively associated with peak elevations in cortisol in response to the driving simulation challenge (r = -0·51, p = 0·04). ACTH responses showed similar trends (r = -0·41, p = 0·12). Self-esteem levels were not correlated with responses to the CRH challenge. These data indicate that psychological characteristics such as self-esteem may play a role in modulating patterns of neuroendocrine response to cognitive/behavioral challenges in everyday life in older individuals.
AB - The role of self-esteem in modulating patterns of neuroendocrine response to challenge at older ages was examined in 16 healthy 70-yr-olds. Responses to two challenges were examined: (1) a driving simulation designed to reflect a 'real life' challenge situation; and (2) a pharmacologic, corticotropin-releasing-hormone (CRH) challenge (1 μg/kg). Both challenges evoked significant elevations in cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Levels of self-esteem were significantly and negatively associated with peak elevations in cortisol in response to the driving simulation challenge (r = -0·51, p = 0·04). ACTH responses showed similar trends (r = -0·41, p = 0·12). Self-esteem levels were not correlated with responses to the CRH challenge. These data indicate that psychological characteristics such as self-esteem may play a role in modulating patterns of neuroendocrine response to cognitive/behavioral challenges in everyday life in older individuals.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0028813247&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/0022-3999(94)00076-H
DO - 10.1016/0022-3999(94)00076-H
M3 - Article
C2 - 7760305
AN - SCOPUS:0028813247
SN - 0022-3999
VL - 39
SP - 69
EP - 84
JO - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
JF - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
IS - 1
ER -