Positive attitude toward life, emotional expression, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms among centenarians and near-centenarians

Abstract

Objectives Favorable attitudes, emotions, personality characteristics, and self-rated health have been associated with successful aging in late life. However, less is known regarding these constructs and their relationships to mental health outcomes in the oldest old persons. This study examined cross-sectional relationships of these psychological factors to depressive symptoms in centenarians and near-centenarians. Methods A selected sample of Ashkenazi Jewish older adults ages 98 to 107 (n = 54, 78% female) without significant cognitive impairment participated. Cognitive function was assessed by Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE), Positive Attitude Towards Life and Emotional Expression by the Personality Outlook Profile Scale (POPS), self-rated health by participants’ subjective rating of their present health, and depressive symptoms by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results Results demonstrated inverse associations of the Positive Attitude Towards Life domain of the POPS and self-rated health with participants’ levels of depressive symptoms even after adjusting for the effects of history of medical illnesses, cognitive function, and demographic variables. Additionally, participants with high levels of care showed higher levels of depressive symptoms. Path analysis supported the partially mediating role of Positive Attitude Towards Life in the relationship between self-rated health and depressive symptoms. Conclusion These findings emphasized the important roles of positive attitudes and emotions as well as self-rated health in mental health outcomes in the oldest old. Although, limited by its cross-sectional design, findings suggest these psychological factors may exert protective effects on mental health outcomes in advanced age.

Physical activity, quality of life and successful ageing among community‐dwelling older adults

“…This finding is similar to that of previous studies, in that better subjective health has been reported to be an important factor influencing older adults’ QoL (Kato et al. ), and good subjective health may help to reduce depressive moods among older adults (Reyes Fernández et al. ).…”

“…Although, to older adults, having objectively good health is important, their subjective health status serves as an important indicator of their overall health (Meng & D'Arcy 2014;Vaillant & Wolff 2012). This finding is similar to that of previous studies, in that better subjective health has been reported to be an important factor influencing older adults' QoL (Kato et al 2016), and good subjective health may help to reduce depressive moods among older adults (Reyes Fern andez et al 2016).…”

Self-rated health and medicine beliefs among older hospital outpatients in Hong Kong

“…Moreover, there was no significant SRH moderation on age groups and gender in reporting NCD (Table ). This supports our proposal that people with high SRH may have a more positive attitude or perception towards their general health and well‐being . They may also be more actively involved in using healthcare resources and more attuned to health promotions and therefore seek help to maintain or improve their current health status or condition .…”

“…This supports our proposal that people with high SRH may have a more positive attitude or perception towards their general health and well‐being . They may also be more actively involved in using healthcare resources and more attuned to health promotions and therefore seek help to maintain or improve their current health status or condition . People with high SRH may be more willing to accept the overall benefit of medicines because they consider the necessity of their medication as being greater than their concerns about their medication, resulting in higher NCD reporting.…”

Association of coronary risk factors and behaviours in old age

“…Although, limited by its cross-sectional design, findings suggest these psychological factors may exert protective effects on mental health outcomes in advanced age [53].…”