Purpose in life and performance of advanced activities of daily living among the oldest old

Abstract

Objective To verify the association between purpose in life (PL) and the performance in advanced (AADL) and instrumental (IADL) activities of daily living. Methods Cross-sectional community-based study which analyzed data from the follow-up assessment of the FIBRA Study (Frailty in Elderly Brazilians) in the cities of Campinas and Ermelino Matarazzo (SP), Brazil, in 2016 and 2017. Participants were 187 community dwelling persons aged 80 years and older. The protocol included the application of a cognitive deficit screening test suggestive of dementia, an inventory assessing AADL, the Lawton and Brody scale (IADL), the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Ryff and Keyes’ (1995) Purpose in Life Scale. Results Participants had an average of 83.81 (±3.60) years, 4.38 (± 3.76) years of schooling, 3.49 minimum wages (±2.61) of income, 125 (66.8%) being women. Hierarchical linear regression analyzes showed that PV and depressive symptoms were significantly associated with a higher number of AADL (p=0.003) and no significant association with IADL scores (0.580), in a model adjusted for sociodemographic variables, self-rated health, cognitive performance and depression. Conclusions The results suggest that older adults with higher PL and lower number of depression symptoms are more likely to perform a higher number of AADL. This association was not observed for IADL, which were associated with age, sex, depression and cognitive performance. PL may have an impact on complex levels of functional status in the elderly, thus contributing to healthy aging.

Higher purpose in life and education were associated with better cognition among older adults

“…These findings were similar to those found in previous studies. In Ribeiro et al, 37 high PiL was associated with a lower number of SD and in Kim et al 38 to a reduced risk for developing major depression. Other authors postulated the idea that higher PiL could lead to greater adoption of healthy behaviors, 39 a more positive view of aging and life, greater resilience, optimism, a sense of self-efficacy, and better functioning of biological systems.…”

“…36 Likewise, higher PiL would be related to low neuroticism, as it could enable emotional self-regulation in the management of adverse events 39 and also favor positive affects. 37…”