Date of Graduation
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Barry Edelstein
Abstract
The prevalence of anxiety disorders is lower in older adults compared to younger adults; however, this group of disorders is the most prevalent type of mental disorder in older adults. To date, few studies have examined the specific experience of anxiety among older adults. Further, some studies have found that older adults experience more interference in their lives due to anxiety. The present study aimed to identify age differences in one process related to anxiety: worry. Additionally, differences in self-reported control over one’s emotions and over one’s anxiety were explored. Fifty-one younger adults (M = 21.43, SD = 2.88 years) and fifty-three older adults (M = 77.59, SD = 14.26 years) participated in the study. Older age was significantly related to less problematic worry. Greater perceived anxiety control and greater emotion control were related to less worry. Age was not related to emotion control or perceived anxiety control. However, a differential effect of gender across age groups was found, with younger females reporting greater worry, and less control over anxiety and emotions, than younger males, older males, and older females. No gender differences were found among older adults. In the past, the role of gender in investigating age differences in anxiety has largely been ignored, but the results from the present study suggest that this may be an important factor to examine in future studies.
Recommended Citation
Gould, Christine E., "An examination of worry and emotion regulation in older and younger adults." (2008). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD). 11117.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/11117