Age-Related Differences in the Experience of Health Anxiety and Use of Coping Strategies

The experience of heath anxiety among older and young adults is poorly understood. Most studies (e.g., Abramowitz & Moore, 2007; Gramling et al., 1996) have examined cognitions and behaviors associated with health anxiety, with little to no studies examining emotions and physiological arousal. The present study induced health anxiety in a laboratory setting with 36 older and 36 young adults by providing false health-related feedback. Outcome variables included physiological arousal (heart rate, blood pressure), self-reported arousal (distress, fear of body sensations), and self-reported emotions recorded across three periods: baseline, induction, and recovery. Repeated measures MANCOVAs were conducted with baseline measures as covariates. Coping strategies used during the recovery period were also assessed. Results revealed a main effect of time for distress and fear of body sensations. A main effect of time was revealed for anxiety, depression, and positive affect, such that anxiety and depression were highest during induction and positive affect was lowest during induction relative to recovery. A significant age by time interaction was found for anxiety, with young adults reporting greater anxiety than older adults during induction. No effects for blood pressure or heart rate were found. In general, older and young adults reported using similar coping strategies, although young adults showed a slight preference for avoidance-based strategies. Results indicate health anxiety is experienced as a combination of negative emotions and low positive affect for both older and young adults. Implications for the understanding of health anxiety among older adults are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

PhD

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Gerolimatos, Lindsay A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Barry Edelstein
• Maria Brann
• Amy Fiske
• Kevin Larkin
• Aaron Metzger

• Clinical psychology
• Aging
• Mental health
• Health care management

Identifier

https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/129

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchrepository.wvu.edu:etd-1132