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01-06-2020 | Original Paper

Age Trends in Well-Being and Depressive Symptoms: the Role of Social Desirability

Authors: Paul Kenneth Hitchcott, Maria Pietronilla Penna, Maria Chiara Fastame

Published in: Psychiatric Quarterly | Issue 2/2020

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether age-related variance in social desirability mediates age trends in psychological health. Self-report measures assessing depressive symptoms, well-being and social desirability were administered to wide age range sample (158 participants aged 20–101 years) from Sardinia, an Italian region located in the Mediterranean Sea being characterized by high level of longevity. Binary correlations showed that ageing was significantly correlated with fewer depressive symptoms and greater well-being; social desirability was significantly correlated with fewer depressive symptoms and higher well-being; age and social desirability were positively correlated. Mediation analyses indicated that social desirability explained a significant proportion (7–33%) of age-related variance in perceived well-being and depressive symptomatology. In conclusion, age differences in self-reported depressive symptoms and well-being partially reflect age differences in social desirability. The age-related increase in social desirability may reflect development of an advantageous coping style that contributes to psychological health.

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Title: Age Trends in Well-Being and Depressive Symptoms: the Role of Social Desirability
Authors: Paul Kenneth Hitchcott
Maria Pietronilla Penna
Maria Chiara Fastame
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Psychiatric Quarterly / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 0033-2720
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6709
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09711-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Age Trends in Well-Being and Depressive Symptoms: the Role of Social Desirability

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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