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Positive psychology constructs as predictors of depression in retirees

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 December 2016

NICOLE ALLENDEN ,
PETER BOMAN ,
AMANDA MERGLER  and
MICHAEL J. FURLONG
NICOLE ALLENDEN
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
PETER BOMAN
Affiliation:
Australian College of Applied Psychology, Adelaide, Australia.
AMANDA MERGLER*
Affiliation:
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
MICHAEL J. FURLONG
Affiliation:
International Center for School Based Youth Development, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA.
*
Address for correspondence: Amanda Mergler, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, 4059, Brisbane, QLD, Australia E-mail: a.mergler@qut.edu.au
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Abstract

This study investigated whether five positive psychological constructs (self-efficacy, gratitude, grit, hope and optimism) had a combined effect on levels of depression. The co-occurrence of these psychological factors, defined as an example of covitality, was examined in relation to predicting lower levels of depression. Participants were 278 retirees living in Brisbane, Australia. Each participant completed either an online or hard-copy self-report, related to positive psychological functioning. A standard multiple regression found that self-efficacy, grit, optimism and hope were individually all significant predictors of depression (small effect sizes); however, the combinatorial relation of all these four factors with depression was substantial (R2 = 0.34; large effect size). Gratitude was not a significant predictor. While no causality can be inferred from this cross-sectional study, having a combination of positive psychological factors might have an effect on levels of depression in retirement.

Keywords

depressionretireespositive psychologywellbeing
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 38 , Issue 5 , May 2018 , pp. 995 - 1017
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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