A latest study shows that self-esteem plays an important role in elderly people's health.
Researchers at the Concordia University, Montréal, Canada, found that high self-esteem protects elderly people from diseases and health threats linked with aging.
For the study, the researchers examined 147 adults aged 60 and above. They observed stress hormone or cortisol levels in the participants, their self-esteem, stress and depression symptoms every 24 months. This continued for four years.
According to the researchers, they measured the self-esteem levels by asking them standard questions such as whether they felt less important about themselves.
The study results showed that lower self-esteem was linked to increase in the cortisol levels and vice versa. The researchers said that people with a history of depression were most affected with lower self-esteem and increased cortisol levels. This was true even after the researchers considered personal and health factors such as economic status, marital status and mortality risk.
The study authors said that the findings show that improving self-esteem in elderly could help prevent health problems.
"Because self-esteem is associated with psychological well- being and physical health, raising self-esteem would be an ideal way to help prevent health problems later in life," said lead researcher Sarah Liu.
According to Liu, caretakers and relatives should encourage older adults to "go out and make more friends, or simply enhance their feelings of self-worth."
"Improving self-esteem provides real health benefits in seniors," added Liu. "The ultimate solution may be to prevent self esteem from declining."
The findings are published in the journal 'Psychoneuroendocrinology.'
