scholarly journals Maintaining Sense of Purpose in Midlife Predicts Better Physical Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 214-214
Author(s):  
Daniel Mroczek ◽  
Emily Willroth
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Three Samples ◽  
Positive Sense

Abstract Having a sense of purpose in life is fundamental to psychological and physical well-being. Despite the myriad benefits of purpose, it may be difficult to hold onto purpose as people age and experience fewer future-oriented goals. The present research used reliable change indices to estimate change in sense of purpose during midlife in three diverse samples. On average, sense of purpose declined slightly with age in all three samples. Next, we used linear regression to examine associations between sense of purpose levels and sense of purpose change and later self-reported physical health outcomes. Consistent with our preregistered hypotheses, higher sense of purpose predicted better health in the two larger samples and more positive sense of purpose trajectories better health in all three samples. Together, these findings suggest that both having a sense of purpose and holding onto it may be important for physical health in middle to older adulthood.

scholarly journals Sense of Purpose in Life and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health: An Outcome-Wide Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110385
Author(s):  
Eric S. Kim ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
Julia S. Nakamura ◽  
Carol D. Ryff ◽  
Tyler J. VanderWeele
Keyword(s):  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Reduced Risk

Purpose: Growing evidence indicates that a higher sense of purpose in life ( purpose) is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases and mortality. However, epidemiological studies have not evaluated if change in purpose is associated with subsequent health and well-being outcomes. Design: We evaluated if positive change in purpose (between t0; 2006/2008 and t1;2010/2012) was associated with better outcomes on 35 indicators of physical health, health behaviors, and psychosocial well-being (at t2;2014/2016). Sample: We used data from 12,998 participants in the Health and Retirement study—a prospective and nationally representative cohort of U.S. adults aged >50. Analysis: We conducted multiple linear-, logistic-, and generalized linear regressions. Results: Over the 4-year follow-up period, people with the highest (versus lowest) purpose had better subsequent physical health outcomes (e.g., 46% reduced risk of mortality (95% CI [0.44, 0.66])), health behaviors (e.g., 13% reduced risk of sleep problems (95% CI [0.77, 0.99])), and psychosocial outcomes (e.g., higher optimism (β = 0.41, 95% CI [0.35, 0.47]), 43% reduced risk of depression (95% CI [0.46, 0.69]), lower loneliness (β = −0.35, 95% CI [−0.41, −0.29])). Importantly, however, purpose was not associated with other physical health outcomes, health behaviors, and social factors. Conclusion: With further research, these results suggest that sense of purpose might be a valuable target for innovative policy and intervention work aimed at improving health and well-being.

scholarly journals Social Relationships in Older Adulthood and Links With Psychological and Physical Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 213-213
Author(s):  
Emily Willroth ◽  
Patrick Hill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Interactions ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Diary Data ◽  
Sense Of Purpose ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes

Abstract Positive social relationships are fundamental to psychological and physical well-being across the lifespan. This symposium showcases rigorous daily-diary and longitudinal investigations that (a) examine change in social relationships and loneliness in older adulthood, and (b) investigate links between social relationships and psychological and physical well-being outcomes in older adulthood. First, we present results from a coordinated analysis of three longitudinal studies demonstrating that loneliness tends to increase across the second half of life (Talk 1). Second, we share converging evidence that suggests positive social relationships tend to decline with age. In turn, these longitudinal changes in loneliness and social relationships predict later physical health outcomes (Talk 2). Together, these findings suggest that positive social relationships tend to decrease and loneliness tends to increase with age, resulting in physical health costs. In the second half of the symposium, we turn to research on how positive social relationships may promote psychological well-being, and in turn, better physical health in older adulthood. Using daily diary data, we demonstrate that on days when older adults report more positive social interactions, they also report feeling more sense of purpose (Talk 3). Finally, we show that higher sense of purpose and more positive change in sense of purpose in midlife prospectively predicts better physical health in older adulthood (Talk 4). Together, the research presented in this symposium reveals normative declines in social relationships in late life, while also highlighting the potential health benefits of increasing positive social relationships in older adulthood.

scholarly journals Hispanic/Latino Ethnic Identity and Diabetes: An Examination of Underlying Acculturation Processes and the Hispanic/Latino Health Advantage

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-294
Author(s):  
Jeannie B. Concha ◽  
Kristen Kelly ◽  
Briana Mezuk
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Identity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Diabetes Prevalence ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
The Relationship

Background. Hispanics/Latinos in the United States experience both a health advantage and disadvantage in developing diabetes. Ethnic identity, a predictor of psychological well-being, has not been widely applied to physical health outcomes. The objective of this study is to apply what is known regarding ethnic identity and psychological health to physical health outcomes (diabetes) and to explore the moderating effect of education as a possible underlying mechanism of the Hispanic Health Advantage/Disadvantage. Specifically, this study examines (a) the association between ethnic identity and diabetes prevalence among adult Hispanics/Latinos and (b) determines whether education modifies this relationship. Method. Data come from the nationally representative adult U.S. household study, National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), collected in 2001 to 2003 ( N = 1,746). Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between ethnic identity, education, and their interaction with likelihood of diabetes. Results. Hispanics/Latinos with high ethnic identity have a higher odds of reporting diabetes among those with 13 to 15 years of education (odds ratio: 1.84; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.92) and a lower odds among those with 16+ years of education (odds ratio: 0.53; 95% confidence interval: 0.34–0.84). Ethnic identity is associated with diabetes prevalence and the relationship is moderated by educational attainment. Conclusion. Given the growth, diversity, and diabetes disparities among Hispanics/Latinos, our buffering and exacerbating findings exemplify the complexity and fluidity of theory in understanding psychological/behavioral processes. The findings highlight the importance of designing targeted health interventions that take into account the diverse psychosocial and educational experiences of Hispanics/Latinos.

scholarly journals Sense of Purpose in Life Promotes Resilience to Memory Deficits Related to Depressive Symptomatology

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 255-255
Author(s):  
Nathan Lewis ◽  
Patrick Hill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Mental Status ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Purpose In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Memory Deficits ◽  
Word Recall ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Sense Of Purpose

Abstract Individuals higher in depressive symptoms commonly present with neuropsychological deficits including poorer memory performance. Sense of purpose in life, a component of psychological well-being, has been shown to promote resilience to cognitive impairment in older adulthood, but it is unclear whether it may also protect against cognitive deficits associated with higher depressive symptoms. This study examined whether purpose in life moderated the effect of depressive symptoms on cognitive functioning in a large longitudinal study of 4599 American older adults (Mage = 74.33 years, range = 65–104 years, 56.84% female) across a 12-year follow-up period. Depressive symptomatology was assessed at each wave using the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Multilevel models assessed the influence of depressive symptoms and the interaction with sense of purpose in life on changes in word recall and mental status. Higher depressive symptoms were associated with poorer recall at baseline, but not rate of change over time. A negative interaction was observed between sense of purpose in life and depressive symptoms such that individuals higher in purpose experienced a less negative impact of depressive symptoms on word recall. No significant interaction of sense of purpose and depressive symptoms was observed on mental status. Having a sense of purpose in life may help protect older adults from memory deficits associated with higher depressive symptoms. The present findings underscore the potential for sense of purpose to promote cognitive reserve in older adulthood, allowing individuals to maintain cognitive performance in the face of accruing neuropsychological challenges.

scholarly journals Forgiveness of others and subsequent health and well-being in mid-life: a longitudinal study on female nurses

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katelyn N. G. Long ◽  
Everett L. Worthington ◽  
Tyler J. VanderWeele ◽  
Ying Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Female Nurses ◽  
Forgiveness Of Others

Abstract Background Forgiveness is a concept of growing interest within psychology and of potential relevance to public health. While there has been increasing evidence suggesting positive associations between forgiveness of others and a range of psychosocial well-being and mental health outcomes, its associations with health behaviors and physical health are less clear. Methods This study used longitudinal data from the Nurses’ Health Study II (2008 Trauma Exposure and Post-traumatic Stress Supplementary Survey to 2015 questionnaire wave, N = 54,703), to conduct an outcome-wide analysis among a cohort of female nurses in the United States (age range: 43–64 years). The study prospectively examines the association between spiritually motivated forgiveness of others and a number of of subsequent psychosocial well-being, mental health, health behavior, and physical health outcomes in midlife. A set of linear, logistic, and Poisson regression models were used to regress each outcome on forgiveness in separate models. Sociodemographic factors, prior religious service attendance, and prior values of all outcome variables were controlled for wherever data were available. To account for multiple testing, we performed Bonferroni correction. Results Forgiveness was associated with subsequent improved psychosocial well-being and reduced psychological distress outcomes in a monotonic pattern. For instance, the top versus bottom level of forgiveness was associated with substantially higher levels of subsequent positive affect (β = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.21) and social integration (β = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.17), and was inversely associated with several indicators of subsequent psychological distress such as depressive symptoms (β = − 0.16, 95% CI: − 0.19, − 0.14). However, in this sample, there was little evidence that forgiveness was associated with health behaviors or physical health outcomes. Discussion This study suggests that forgiveness may be a health asset for promoting population mental health and psychosocial well-being, and moreover may also be understood as a good in itself. Further investigation on the dynamics between forgiveness and physical health is warranted to explore the discrepancy between the results here and some past research.

scholarly journals Effects of non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions on health outcomes in systemic sclerosis: protocol for a living systematic review

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e047428
Author(s):  
Marie-Nicole Discepola ◽  
Andrea Carboni-Jiménez ◽  
Linda Kwakkenbos ◽  
Richard S Henry ◽  
Jill Boruff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

IntroductionSystemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) is a rare, chronic, autoimmune disease with a high level of burden, a significant impact on the ability to carry out daily activities, and a considerable negative impact on health-related quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions could be provided to potentially improve mental and physical health outcomes. However, the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on health and well-being among individuals with SSc has not been well established. The proposed living systematic review aims to identify and evaluate randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions on mental and physical health outcomes and on the delivery of such services in SSc.Methods and analysisEligible studies will be RCTs that examine non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions aimed at improving health outcomes among individuals with SSc or the delivery of services intended to improve healthcare or support of people with SSc (eg, support groups). All RCTs included in a previous systematic review that sought studies published between 1990 and March 2014 will be evaluated for inclusion. Additional trials will be sought from January 2014 onwards using a similar, augmented search strategy developed by a health sciences librarian. We will search the MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases and will not restrict by language. Two independent reviewers will determine the eligibility of identified RCTs and will extract data using a prespecified standardised form in DistillerSR. Meta-analyses will be considered if ≥2 eligible RCTs report similar non-pharmacological interventions and comparable health outcomes. We will conduct a qualitative synthesis for interventions that cannot be synthesised via meta-analysis.Ethics and disseminationWe will post initial and ongoing results via a website, publish results periodically via peer-reviewed journal publication, and present results at patient-oriented events.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020219914.

The Impact of Caring for Grandchildren on Grandparents’ Physical Health Outcomes: The Role of Intergenerational Support

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 612-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Zhou ◽  
Weiyu Mao ◽  
Yura Lee ◽  
Iris Chi
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Intergenerational Support ◽  
Grandparent Caregivers ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
The Impact

Little longitudinal data exist on grandparent caregivers and few studies have examined their physical health outcomes. This study examined the effect of caring for grandchildren on grandparents’ physical health and the role of intergenerational support from adult children. Longitudinal data derived from a survey on the well-being of older adults in China were used to conduct path analysis of previous grandparent caregivers (vs. noncaregivers) and repeated grandparent caregivers (vs. noncaregivers). The final sample was 799 grandparents aged 60 or older living in rural China. Three aspects of intergenerational support were measured: financial, emotional, and instrumental support. Repeated grandparent caregivers had better self-rated health (SRH) and fewer limitations than noncaregivers. Previous grandparent caregivers had better SRH compared to noncaregivers. Emotional support mediated the relationship between caregiving and SRH among repeated caregivers. Findings suggest that any caregiving experience (previous or repeated) provides health benefits to grandparents.

Daily Autonomy Support and Sexual Identity Disclosure Predicts Daily Mental and Physical Health Outcomes

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 860-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Legate ◽  
Richard M. Ryan ◽  
Ronald D. Rogge
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Autonomy Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Identity Disclosure ◽  
Sexual Identity Disclosure ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Using a daily diary methodology, we examined how social environments support or fail to support sexual identity disclosure, and associated mental and physical health outcomes. Results showed that variability in disclosure across the diary period related to greater psychological well-being and fewer physical symptoms, suggesting potential adaptive benefits to selectively disclosing. A multilevel path model indicated that perceiving autonomy support in conversations predicted more disclosure, which in turn predicted more need satisfaction, greater well-being, and fewer physical symptoms that day. Finally, mediation analyses revealed that disclosure and need satisfaction explained why perceiving autonomy support in a conversation predicted greater well-being and fewer physical symptoms. That is, perceiving autonomy support in conversations indirectly predicted greater wellness through sexual orientation disclosure, along with feeling authentic and connected in daily interactions with others. Discussion highlights the role of supportive social contexts and everyday opportunities to disclose in affecting sexual minority mental and physical health.

scholarly journals Emotion Regulation and Psychological and Physical Health during a Nationwide COVID-19 Lockdown

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel S. T. Low ◽  
Nickola Overall ◽  
Valerie Chang ◽  
Annette M E Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotion Regulation Strategies ◽  
Emotional Suppression ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Emotion Control ◽  
Regulation Strategies

The COVID-19 pandemic poses considerable challenges that threaten health and well-being. Initial data supports that many people experienced elevated psychological distress as the pandemic emerged. Yet, prior examinations of average changes in well-being fail to identify who is at greater risk for poor psychological health. The aim of the current research was to examine whether the use of different emotion regulation strategies (emotional suppression, rumination, cognitive reappraisal) predicted residual changes in psychological and physical health during a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. We leveraged an ongoing study in which participants had reported on their psychological and physical health prior to the pandemic. Participants then reported on the same health outcomes as well as their use of emotion regulation strategies, stress and emotion control difficulties during a nationwide lockdown involving confinement in the home for 5 weeks. Accounting for pre-pandemic psychological health, greater emotional suppression and rumination predicted greater depressive symptoms, lower emotional well-being, greater limitations due to emotional problems, and poorer social functioning during the lockdown, even when controlling for the detrimental effects of stress and emotion control difficulties. Accounting for pre-pandemic physical health, greater rumination predicted greater fatigue and poorer physical health, but the amount of stress people experienced was a stronger predictor across physical health outcomes. The results validate concerns that the stress of the pandemic risks declines in psychological and physical health and identify emotional suppression and rumination as important risk factors of poor psychological health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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