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The association between actor/partner optimism and cognitive functioning among older couples
Jeewon Oh1, William J Chopik1, Eric S Kim2
1Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
Journal of Personality
|December 1, 2019
Summary
Spousal optimism positively impacts cognitive functioning in older adults. This suggests that optimism, at both individual and couple levels, may be a key factor in maintaining cognitive health during aging.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Higher optimism is linked to improved health, well-being, and cognitive function.
- Spousal support is crucial for health, particularly in older adulthood.
- The impact of a spouse's optimism on an individual's cognitive functioning remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between an individual's optimism and their cognitive functioning.
- To examine whether a spouse's optimism is linked to an individual's cognitive functioning.
- To explore the dyadic relationship between optimism and cognitive health in couples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 4,457 heterosexual couples (N=8,914) from the Health and Retirement Study.
- Included a large, diverse, nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged over 50.
- Assessed optimism at baseline and measured cognitive functioning (memory, mental status) over an 8-year follow-up with repeated assessments.
Main Results:
- Found small but positive associations between an individual's optimism and their cognitive functioning (memory: r=0.16; mental status: r=0.10).
- Observed positive associations between a partner's optimism and an individual's cognitive functioning (memory: r=0.04; mental status: r=0.03).
- These associations between optimism and cognitive functioning largely persisted over the 8-year follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- Both an individual's own optimism and their partner's optimism are positively associated with cognitive functioning.
- Optimism, considered at both individual and couple levels, may serve as an innovative intervention target.
- Further research could leverage optimism to help older adults maintain cognitive function as they age.
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