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Short Research Report

Aging Anxiety in Older Adults

The Role of Self-Esteem and Meaning in Life

Published Online:July 11, 2022https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000295

Abstract

Abstract. Recently, aging anxiety was linked with existential fears. This study examines whether self-esteem and meaning in life, protective factors against mortality awareness, buffer the association between aging anxiety and depressive symptoms in older adults. 318 community-dwelling participants (aged 65–90 years, M = 73.42, SD = 5.40) completed scales assessing aging anxiety, self-esteem, meaning in life, and depressive symptoms. High aging anxiety and low self-esteem/meaning in life were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Moreover, the link between aging anxiety and depressive symptoms was nullified among participants reporting high levels of self-esteem and meaning in life. We discuss the results from the perspective of terror management theory and suggest that, while aging anxiety may elicit existential concerns, these fears may be mitigated by self-esteem and meaning in life.

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