Emotional Suppression in Elderly Individuals

Plain-language summary

The world's population is aging, and the proportion of individuals aged 60 and over is rapidly increasing. With aging, the prevalence of both physical and psychological health problems increases, negatively impacting quality of life. Chronic musculoskeletal pain, one of the most common health problems among older individuals, limits their daily activities and reduces their functional independence. Chronic pain is a complex experience that interacts not only with biological but also with psychological and social factors. In this context, an individual's emotional regulation strategies play a crucial role in understanding the pain experience. Emotional suppression, in particular, is defined as the conscious suppression or inability to express one's emotions. This strategy has been reported to be associated with increased psychological stress, anxiety, depression, and pain sensitivity in the long term. Individuals who suppress their emotions have been shown to perceive pain as more threatening and develop more negative coping strategies. Furthermore, cognitive tendencies such as pain catastrophizing, combined with emotional suppression, appear to increase an individual's psychological response to pain, impacting both pain intensity and psychological pain sensitivity. Such negative emotional regulation strategies can lead to increased pain perception and avoidance of physical activity, resulting in decreased physical performance. Physical performance in older individuals is one of the key indicators determining their level of independence and quality of life. Tests such as the Timed Up and Go Test, the 6-Minute Walk Test, and the 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test are widely used to assess mobility, balance, lower extremity endurance, and overall physical fitness. Chronic pain and its accompanying emotional factors are known to negatively impact physical performance. However, studies examining the combined effects of emotional suppression on both pain perception and physical performance in older individuals are quite limited. This study contributes to the literature by offering a holistic assessment perspective by considering the physiological consequences of emotional regulation strategies in a multidimensional manner. Addressing the psychological and physical health of older individuals in conjunction is crucial for developing effective intervention programs. In this respect, the aim of the study was to examine the effect of the level of emotional suppression on pain perception (intensity and catastrophizing) and physical performance in elderly individuals.

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