Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 7, 2025

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
The role of goal and meaning in life for older adults facing interpersonal stress
Jeong Eun Lee1, Eva Kahana2, Boaz Kahana3
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
Abstract:
Interpersonal stressful events (ISE) have been shown to be potent predictors of major depressive symptoms among older adults. This study examines the relationships between recent ISE and depressive symptoms in late life and explores whether having coping cognitive resource (e.g. finding meaning and goal in life) can buffer the effects of ISE on depressive symptoms for older adults. We utilized a sample of residents in Florida retirement communities (N = 588) who participated in a long-term-panel study using yearly assessments for six years. Additionally, we modeled within-person differences in ISE and depressive symptoms simultaneously with multilevel modeling. Then, we tested the moderating effect of coping resource (i.e. meaning in life and goal in life) in the association between ISE and depressive symptoms. We found that the mean level of ISE is associated with higher depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction. In addition, higher levels of within-person meaning and goal buffered the negative effect of ISE on depressive symptoms for older adults. Similarly, within-person meaning and goal also attenuated the negative effect of ISE on life satisfaction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...
Importance of Need for Affiliation
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Social Relationships and Well-Being

