Introduction
Optimism—the expectation that good things will happen—has emerged as a promising health
asset, as it appears to be related to healthier behaviors and reduced disease risk.
Growing research finds that higher optimism is associated with lower mortality, yet
it is critical to understand whether this prolonged longevity is accompanied by good
health. This study tested whether higher optimism was associated with increased likelihood
of healthy aging.
Methods
Prospective data analyzed in 2018 from the Nurses’ Health Study included 33,326 women
with no major chronic diseases at baseline. Poisson regression models evaluated if
optimism was associated with healthy aging 8 years later, considering potential confounders
(sociodemographic variables, depression) and intermediate variables (health behaviors).
Optimism was assessed in 2004 by validated self-report using mailed questionnaires
and healthy aging was assessed in 2012, defined as (1) remaining free of major chronic
diseases; (2) having no subjective memory impairment; (3) having intact physical function;
and (4) surviving through follow-up.
Results
Overall, 20.5% of women (n=6,823) fulfilled the definition of healthy aging in 2012. After adjusting for sociodemographic
factors and depression, the most (top quartile) versus least (bottom quartile) optimistic
women had a 23% greater likelihood of healthy aging (95% CI=1.16, 1.30). Associations
were similar in white and black participants, although the sample of black women was
small (n=354).
Conclusions
Higher optimism was associated with increased likelihood of healthy aging, suggesting
that optimism, a potentially modifiable health asset, merits further research for
its potential to improve health in aging.
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© 2018 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
