Pauly Theresa
Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University.
Res Sq. 2025 Jul 31:rs.3.rs-7200119. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7200119/v1.
This study aimed to examine whether daily experiences of positive solitude-defined as time to oneself-relate to lower negative affect and healthier cortisol patterns in parents of underage children, and whether personality traits moderate these associations. A sample of 318 parents (Mage = 40.06 years; 45% male) with underage children completed up to 8 consecutive days of daily diaries (mood, positive solitude, stress exposure) and up to 4 days of saliva sampling (4 times/day) for cortisol analysis. Multilevel modeling examined within-person links between positive solitude, negative affect, and cortisol wake-evening slopes, controlling for daily stress. Results showed that on days when they had time to themselves, parents experienced lower negative affect and steeper cortisol slopes, indicating better stress recovery. The reduction in negative affect with positive solitude was stronger for parents high in neuroticism and openness, and high neuroticism was also linked with a stronger association between solitude and cortisol slopes. Findings underscore the potential restorative value of daily positive solitude for parents, particularly those high in neuroticism and openness. In the context of the high demands of parenting, positive solitude may serve as a valuable resource for emotional renewal, self-care, self-connection, and recovery from daily parenting stress.
本研究旨在探讨积极独处（定义为属于自己的时间）的日常体验是否与未成年子女父母较低的消极情绪和更健康的皮质醇模式相关，以及人格特质是否会调节这些关联。318名有未成年子女的父母（平均年龄 = 40.06岁；45%为男性）参与了该研究，他们连续8天完成了日常日记记录（情绪、积极独处、压力暴露），并进行了多达4天的唾液采样（每天4次）以分析皮质醇。多水平模型分析了积极独处、消极情绪和皮质醇昼夜斜率之间的个体内联系，并控制了日常压力。结果表明，当父母有属于自己的时间时，他们的消极情绪较低，皮质醇斜率更陡，这表明压力恢复得更好。对于神经质和开放性得分较高的父母，积极独处带来的消极情绪减少更为明显，而且高神经质还与独处和皮质醇斜率之间更强的关联有关。研究结果强调了日常积极独处对父母，尤其是对神经质和开放性得分较高的父母的潜在恢复价值。在育儿需求较高的背景下，积极独处可能是情绪恢复、自我关怀、自我联结以及从日常育儿压力中恢复的宝贵资源。
