Optimism and Healthy Aging in Women and Men

Abstract

Mounting evidence indicates that there are specific associations between higher levels of optimism and healthier behaviors, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and lower mortality. Yet, for public health purposes, it is critical to consider how optimism might be related to a full scope of health conditions in aging-from cognitive to physical health. Using prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 5,698), we examined whether higher baseline optimism was associated with subsequent increased likelihood of maintaining healthy aging over 6-8 years of follow-up. Optimism was assessed at study baseline (2006 or 2008), and components of healthy aging were assessed every 2 years, defined as: 1) remaining free of major chronic diseases; 2) having no cognitive impairment; and 3) good physical functioning. Hazard ratios were obtained using Cox proportional hazards models, and a range of relevant covariates were considered (sociodemographic factors, depressive symptoms, and health behaviors). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and depression, the most (top quartile) versus least (bottom quartile) optimistic participants had a 24% increased likelihood of maintaining healthy aging (95% CI: 1.11, 1.38). Further adjustment for health behaviors did not meaningfully change the findings. Optimism, a potentially modifiable health asset, merits further research for its potential to improve likelihood of health in aging. chronic disease; cognitive function; health psychology; healthy aging; optimism; physical function; psychological well-being; resilience

A Review of Psychological Well-Being and Mortality Risk

“…Life extension in individuals who experience greater levels of PWB could be explained, at least in part, by compressed morbidity and aging in health. This hypothesis is in fact supported by recent prospective study results showing that midlife adults with higher levels of optimism and mastery, respectively, are more likely to be healthy agers compared to their counterparts with lower PWB levels (James et al, 2019;Kim et al, 2019;Latham-Mintus, Vowels, & Huskins, 2018).…”

Mental Health and Religiosity in the Sardinian Blue Zone: Life Satisfaction and Optimism for Aging Well

“…In this regard, it has been found that higher levels of optimism occur with healthier physical habits (e.g., regular physical activity, healthy diet, greater therapeutic adherence), which, in turn, reduce the risk of chronic pathologies and increase life expectancy (Boehm et al, 2018 ; Progovac et al, 2017 ; Steptoe et al, 2006 ). Following this, a longitudinal study conducted with physically and cognitively intact Americans that at baseline were over 50 years old documented that after controlling for sociodemographic factors and depression, the most optimistic participants (i.e., top quartile) had a 24% increased likelihood of becoming healthy older individuals (i.e., those displaying reduced risk of cognitive and physical deterioration) over 6–8 years of follow-up (Kim et al, 2019 ). Consistently, according to Lee et al ( 2019 ), higher optimism is linked to higher odds of achieving exceptional longevity (i.e., being 85 years old and over) both in men and in women.…”

The AGE Effect on Protective Behaviors During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Sociodemographic, Perceptions and Psychological Accounts

“…From an evolutionary perspective, this bias is adaptive to human life (e.g., expecting positive outcomes reduces anxiety and increases performance). Greater optimism is associated with exceptional longevity (Lee et al, 2019), and with the maintenance of healthy aging over time (Kim et al, 2019). However, the underestimation of risks may reduce protective behaviors essential for survival and, subsequently, the vulnerability to such hazards (Weinstein, 1984;Sharot, 2011).…”