Optimism, lifestyle, and longevity in a racially diverse cohort of women.

Koga HK, Trudel-Fitzgerald C, Lee LO, James P, Kroenke C, Garcia L, Shadyab AH, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Manson JE, Grodstein F, Kubzansky LD

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · October 1, 2022

Background: Research has suggested optimism is associated with healthy aging and exceptional longevity, but most studies were conducted among non-Hispanic White populations. Methods: Participants from the Women's Health Initiative (N = 159,255) completed a validated measure of optimism and provided other demographic and health data at baseline. Results: After covariate adjustment, the highest versus lowest optimism quartile was associated with 5.4% (95% CI = 4.5, 6.4%) longer lifespan. Within racial and ethnic subgroups, these estimates were 5.1% in non-Hispanic White, 7.6% in Black, 5.4% in Hispanic/Latina, and 1.5% in Asian women. Participants in the highest versus lowest optimism quartile had greater likelihood of achieving exceptional longevity. Conclusions: Higher optimism was associated with longer lifespan and a greater likelihood of achieving exceptional longevity overall and across racial and ethnic groups.

PMID: 35674052 · DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17897