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Fairbank EJ, Borenstein-Laurie J, Alberts NM, Wrosch C. Optimism, pessimism, and physical health among youth: a scoping review. J Pediatr Psychol 2024; 49:580-595. [PMID: 38879445 PMCID: PMC11335150 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsae045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE High levels of optimism (and low levels of pessimism) are associated with improved physical health in adults. However, relatively less is known about these relations in youth. The present study aimed to review the literature investigating optimism, pessimism, and physical health in children and adolescents from populations with and without health conditions. METHODS We conducted a scoping review up until February 2024. Studies were included if they sampled youth (average age ≤18 years) and treated optimism or pessimism as predictors of health behaviors or outcomes. Data on study and sample characteristics, health outcome, optimism construct, and findings were extracted from eligible papers and results were synthesized. RESULTS Sixty studies were retained. Most studies were conducted in North America, with adolescents, and used cross-sectional designs and self-reported measures of health. Measures of optimism and pessimism differed across studies. Roughly one-third of studies sampled medical populations. Health categories included substance use, diet and physical activity, sexual health practices, medical adherence, other health behaviors, cardiometabolic health, subjective health/health-related quality of life, pain, sleep, and oral health. Generally, we observed adaptive associations between optimism and health. Higher optimism and lower pessimism were most consistently associated with lower rates of substance use and lower cardiometabolic risk. CONCLUSIONS The presence of optimism or the absence of pessimism appears to be associated with various adaptive health outcomes among youth with and without health conditions. Developmental, methodological, and clinical considerations for future research are discussed, such as conducting longitudinal studies with objective measures of health and psychometrically validated instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïse J Fairbank
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Nicole M Alberts
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carsten Wrosch
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Craig H, Gasevic D, Ryan J, Owen A, McNeil J, Woods R, Britt C, Ward S, Freak-Poli R. Socioeconomic, Behavioural, and Social Health Correlates of Optimism and Pessimism in Older Men and Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3259. [PMID: 36833951 PMCID: PMC9961087 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimism is a disposition characterised by positive future expectancies, while pessimism is characterised by expecting the worst. High optimism and low pessimism promote the health of older adults and may potentiate full engagement in life. We identified socioeconomic, behavioural, and social factors associated with optimism and pessimism in older adults. METHODS Participants included 10,146 community-dwelling, apparently healthy Australian adults aged 70 years and over from the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP). Optimism and pessimism were measured using the revised Life Orientation Test. Cross-sectional ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the socioeconomic, behavioural, and social health factors associated with optimism and pessimism. RESULTS Higher education, greater physical activity, lower loneliness, and volunteering were associated with higher optimism and lower pessimism. Low social support was associated with higher pessimism. Higher socioeconomic advantage, greater income, and living alone were associated with lower pessimism. Women were more optimistic and less pessimistic than men. The association of age, smoking status, and alcohol consumption with optimism and pessimism differed for men and women. CONCLUSIONS Factors associated with higher optimism and lower pessimism were also those demonstrated to support healthy ageing. Health-promotion action at the individual level (e.g., smoking cessation or regular physical activity), health professional level (e.g., social prescribing or improving access and quality of care for all older adults), and community level (e.g., opportunities for volunteer work or low-cost social activities for older adults) may improve optimism and reduce pessimism, possibly also promoting healthy ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Craig
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Danijela Gasevic
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK
| | - Joanne Ryan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Alice Owen
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - John McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Robyn Woods
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Carlene Britt
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Stephanie Ward
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Rosanne Freak-Poli
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Ikeda S, Ikeda A, Ohira T, Sakai A, Shimabukuro M, Maeda M, Yabe H, Nagao M, Yasumura S, Ohto H, Kamiya K, Tanigawa T. Longitudinal Trends in Blood Pressure Associated with The Changes in Living Environment Caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake: The Fukushima Health Management Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:857. [PMID: 36613179 PMCID: PMC9819706 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on 11 March 2011, forcing Fukushima Prefecture residents to change their living environment. Such sudden changes possibly have long-term effects on cardiovascular-related diseases. We therefore sought to identify temporal relationships between living environment changes and blood pressure levels over three years following the earthquake. Participants included 14,941 men and 21,533 women aged 16 years or older who answered self-administered questionnaires, including questions on living environment changes at baseline (2012). Blood pressure levels were measured each year from 2012 to 2015. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze associations between living environment changes and blood pressure levels. Men with changes in living environment (i.e., those living in shelters or in temporary housing, rental apartments, relatives' houses, or others) showed significantly higher diastolic blood pressure levels than those who lived in their home at baseline (77.3 mmHg vs. 77.8 mmHg; p < 0.001). The time-dependent effect of diastolic blood pressure levels associated with living environment was not statistically significant, indicating a sustained difference in diastolic blood pressure associated with living environment changes at baseline after three years. The effect of living environment changes on diastolic blood pressure increment was also evident in men without antihypertensive medication use during the study period and in men who were current drinkers at baseline. There were no associations between living environment changes and diastolic blood pressure levels among women. Sudden changes in living environment due to the disaster had an impact on the long-term effects of higher diastolic blood pressure among middle-aged men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Ikeda
- Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Ai Ikeda
- Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
- Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ohira
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Epidemiology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Akira Sakai
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Radiation Life Sciences, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Michio Shimabukuro
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Masaharu Maeda
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Disaster Psychiatry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Hirooki Yabe
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Masanori Nagao
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Epidemiology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Seiji Yasumura
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ohto
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
| | - Kenji Kamiya
- Radiation Medical Science Center for the Fukushima Health Management Survey, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8511, Japan
| | - Takeshi Tanigawa
- Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
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Association of pessimism with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 76:91-98. [PMID: 36462555 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcad.2022.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Poor psychological health is associated with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, cardiac syndrome X, coronary microcirculatory dysfunction, peripheral artery disease, or spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Data regarding pessimism, cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality and all-cause mortality remained inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to provide an overview of the association between pessimism, CVD outcomes and mortality. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted from inception through July 2022 for studies evaluating pessimism and adverse outcomes. A total of 17 studies published between 1966 and July 2022 met our inclusion criteria, for a total of 232,533 individuals. Pooled hazard ratios were calculated in random-effects meta-analyses. Based on pooled analysis of adjusted HRs, pessimism was associated with adjusted HR of 1.13 (95% CI 1.07-1.19) for all-cause mortality with minimal heterogeneity (I2 = 28.5%). Based on pooled analysis of adjusted HRs, pessimism was associated with adjusted HR of 1.30 (95% CI 0.43-3.95) for CHD mortality, adjusted HR of 1.41 (95% CI 1.05-1.91) for CVD mortality, and adjusted HR of 1.43 (95% CI 0.64-3.16) for stroke. In conclusion, pessimism seems to be significantly associated with a higher risk for and poorer outcomes from CVD events than optimistic styles. There are genetic and other bases for these life approaches, but behavioral, cognitive and meditative interventions can modify patients' level of pessimism, hopefully leading to better medical outcomes. Testing this theory would yield highly useful and practical data for clinical care.
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Craig H, Ryan J, Freak-Poli R, Owen A, McNeil J, Woods RL, Britt C, Tonkin A, Gasevic D. The Association of Dispositional Optimism and Pessimism With Cardiovascular Disease Events in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Aging Health 2022; 34:961-972. [PMID: 35410519 PMCID: PMC10026003 DOI: 10.1177/08982643221083118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Positive psychosocial factors may protect against cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to determine the association of optimism and pessimism with CVD events in community-dwelling older adults. Methods: 11,651 adults aged 70 years and over, participants of the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP), were followed-up for 4.7 years (median). The association of optimism and pessimism (assessed as separate constructs by revised Life Orientation Test) and incident CVD events (composite and components) was assessed by Cox regression adjusted for demographic, socioeconomic and health factors. Results: No association was observed between optimism and pessimism with composite CVD events. Being more pessimistic was associated with a greater risk of fatal coronary heart disease, while being more optimistic was associated with a lower risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction. Conclusions: Optimism and pessimism may shape cardiovascular health of older adults; and we argue these psychosocial factors should be researched as separate constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanne Ryan
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Alice Owen
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - John McNeil
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Danijela Gasevic
- Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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6
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Schutte N, Malouff JM. The association between optimism and telomere length: A meta-analysis. THE JOURNAL OF POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2020.1832249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Schutte
- Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
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Liu Y, Pettersson E, Schandl A, Markar S, Johar A, Lagergren P. Dispositional optimism and all-cause mortality after esophageal cancer surgery: a nationwide population-based cohort study. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:9461-9469. [PMID: 35953730 PMCID: PMC9371627 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07311-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the association between dispositional optimism and all-cause mortality after esophageal cancer surgery and whether pathological tumor stage and the COVID-19 pandemic modified this association. METHODS This nationwide, population-based prospective cohort study included 335 patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery in Sweden between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2019. Dispositional optimism was measured 1 year post-surgery using Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R). A higher LOT-R sum score represents higher dispositional optimism. Mortality information was obtained from the Swedish Register of the Total Population. All patients were followed up until death or until December 31, 2020, whichever occurred first. Cox regression with adjustments for confounders was used. RESULTS The median follow-up was 20.8 months, during which 125 (37.3%) patients died. Among the included 335 patients, 219 (65.4%) patients had tumor pathologically staged Tis-II, and 300 (89.6%) patients entered the cohort before the COVID-19 pandemic. Both tumor stage and the COVID-19 pandemic were effect modifiers. For each unit increase in LOT-R sum score, the risk of all-cause mortality decreased by 11% (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.98) among patients with tumor staged Tis-II before the COVID-19 pandemic. This association was non-significant in patients with tumor staged III-IV (HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.07) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.25). CONCLUSION Assessing dispositional optimism may help predict postoperative survival, especially for patients with early and intermediate esophageal cancer. Increasing dispositional optimism might be a potential intervention target to improve survival after esophageal cancer surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangjun Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Retzius väg 13a, Level 4, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erik Pettersson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Schandl
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Retzius väg 13a, Level 4, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sheraz Markar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Retzius väg 13a, Level 4, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
- Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Asif Johar
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Retzius väg 13a, Level 4, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Lagergren
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Retzius väg 13a, Level 4, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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Fritz MM, Walsh LC, Cole SW, Epel E, Lyubomirsky S. Kindness and cellular aging: A pre-registered experiment testing the effects of prosocial behavior on telomere length and well-being. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 11:100187. [PMID: 34589726 PMCID: PMC8474583 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2020.100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Prosocial behavior can improve psychological well-being and physical health. However, the underlying biological mechanisms that mediate the relationship between prosociality and health remain unclear. In this pre-registered experiment, we tested whether a 4-week kindness intervention could slow leukocyte telomere shortening and increase well-being. Methods Community adults (N = 230) were randomly assigned to complete 1 of 3 activities, each week for 4 weeks: to perform 3 kind acts for other people, to perform 3 kind acts for themselves, or to list daily activities. At baseline and post-intervention, participants came to the lab to provide a small dried blood spot (DBS) sample via finger prick for analysis of telomere length. Participants completed psychological measures (e.g., loneliness, life satisfaction) at baseline, post-intervention, and at the 2-week follow up. Results Participants who performed kind acts for others did not demonstrate hypothesized changes in well-being, nor in telomere length, relative to controls. Exploratory analyses revealed that, relative to controls, participants who did kind acts for others showed reductions in loneliness through the 2-week follow up. Conclusions The salubrious effects of prosocial behavior in the short term are not likely due to the inhibition of cellular aging (at least as indexed by telomere length). However, extending kindness to others holds promise as a future research direction for interventions to alleviate loneliness. Prosocial behavior is associated with better health, but mechanisms remain unclear. We report a pre-registered investigation of prosocial behavior and telomere length. A 4-week prosocial behavior intervention did not slow rates of telomere shortening. Performing prosocial behavior for others was linked with reductions in loneliness. Prosocial behavior may reduce loneliness but does not appear to impact telomeres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Fritz
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Lisa C Walsh
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Steven W Cole
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elissa Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sonja Lyubomirsky
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
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Crosswell AD, Sagui-Henson S, Prather AA, Coccia M, Irwin MR, Epel ES. Psychological Resources and Biomarkers of Health in the Context of Chronic Parenting Stress. Int J Behav Med 2021; 29:175-187. [PMID: 34357581 PMCID: PMC8343363 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-021-10007-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Epidemiological studies link psychological resources to better physical health. One reason may be that psychological resources are protective in stressful contexts. This study tested whether indeed psychological resources are protective against biological degradation for healthy mid-life women under the chronic stress of caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (“caregivers”). Methods We tested whether five types of psychosocial resources (i.e., eudaimonic well-being, autonomy, purpose in life, self-acceptance, and mastery) were associated with biological indices of aging in a sample of mid-life women stratified by chronic stress; half were caregivers (n = 92) and half were mothers of neurotypical children (n = 91; controls). Selected stress and age related biological outcomes were insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), systemic inflammation (IL-6, CRP), and cellular aging (leukocyte telomere length). We tested whether each resource was associated with these biomarkers, and whether caregiving status and high parenting stress moderated that relationship. Results All the psychological resources except mastery were significantly negatively associated with insulin resistance, while none were related to systemic inflammation or telomere length. The relationships between eudaimonic well-being and HOMA-IR, and self-acceptance and HOMA-IR, were moderated by parental stress; lower resources were associated with higher insulin resistance, but only for women reporting high parental stress. The well-known predictors of age and BMI accounted for 46% of variance in insulin resistance, and psychological resources accounted for an additional 13% of variance. Conclusion These findings suggest that higher eudaimonic well-being and greater self-acceptance may be protective for the metabolic health of mid-life women, and particularly in the context of high parenting stress. This has important implications given the rising rates of both parental stress and metabolic disease, and because psychological interventions can increase eudaimonic well-being and self-acceptance. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12529-021-10007-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra D. Crosswell
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street Suite 465, CA 94118 San Francisco, USA
| | - Sara Sagui-Henson
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Fransisco, CA San Francisco, USA
| | - Aric A. Prather
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street Suite 465, CA 94118 San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael Coccia
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street Suite 465, CA 94118 San Francisco, USA
| | - Michael R. Irwin
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, USA
| | - Elissa S. Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street Suite 465, CA 94118 San Francisco, USA
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Wojcicki JM, Lustig RH, Jacobs LM, Mason AE, Hartman A, Leung C, Stanhope K, Lin J, Schmidt LA, Epel ES. Longer Leukocyte Telomere Length Predicts Stronger Response to a Workplace Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Sales Ban: An Exploratory Study. Curr Dev Nutr 2021; 5:nzab084. [PMID: 34235373 PMCID: PMC8257411 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzab084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shorter leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is associated with increased risk of a number of metabolic diseases including insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Shorter LTL is also associated with stress reactivity suggestive of a possible role for LTL to predict response to behavioral interventions. However, few studies have evaluated how interventions, such as weight loss or dietary changes, are associated with LTL changes or whether LTL can predict behavioral responses to interventions. OBJECTIVES We evaluated metabolic changes in relation to LTL changes and LTL at baseline in a cohort of at-risk adults in response to a 10-mo workplace-based sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intervention. METHODS At baseline, metabolic health and LTL measurements were assessed through standard blood draws on 212 participants. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess changes in anthropometrics, SSB consumption, and 13 blood-based metabolic risk factors, in relation to LTL at baseline and changes in LTL. RESULTS Longer LTL at baseline was associated with decreases in SSB consumption over the 6-mo follow-up period (B = -29.67; P = 0.04). Slower LTL attrition rates were associated with decreases in waist circumference (B = -0.27; P = 0.03), HDL cholesterol (B = -0.20; P = 0.05), and apoA1 (B = -0.09; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Longer LTL at baseline predicted a favorable overall response to a behavioral intervention: decreases in SSB consumption. Abdominal adiposity losses paralleled slower declines in LTL suggestive of overall health benefits, but we found differences in the relations between metabolic changes and LTL at baseline compared with LTL attrition rates. Longer LTL may be a proxy marker of a positive behavioral response.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02585336.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet M Wojcicki
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert H Lustig
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laurie M Jacobs
- Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ashley E Mason
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alison Hartman
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Cindy Leung
- Department of Nutritional Science, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kimber Stanhope
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jue Lin
- Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura A Schmidt
- Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Anthropology, History and Social Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Elissa S Epel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Health and Community, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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11
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Lee HH, Okuzono SS, Kim ES, De Vivo I, Raffield LM, Glover L, Sims M, Grodstein F, Kubzansky LD. Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 125:105124. [PMID: 33434830 PMCID: PMC8052931 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimism is linked with greater longevity in both White and African American populations. Optimism may enhance longevity by slowing cellular aging, for which leukocyte telomere shortening is a biomarker. However, limited studies have examined the association of optimism with leukocyte telomere length among African Americans. METHODS Data are from 723 men and 1244 women participating in the Jackson Heart Study (age = 21-93 years). We used multivariable linear regression models to conduct cross-sectional analyses examining whether higher optimism was associated with longer mean absolute leukocyte telomere length (assayed with Southern blot analysis). Models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptomatology, health conditions, and health behavior-related factors. We also considered potential effect modification by key factors. RESULTS In the age-adjusted model, optimism, measured as a continuous variable, was not associated with leukocyte telomere length (β = 0.01, 95%CI: -0.02, 0.04). This association remained null in the fully-adjusted model (β = 0.02, 95%CI: -0.02, 0.05) and was also null when considering optimism as a binary measure (higher vs. lower optimism). We found no evidence of effect modification by sex, age, body mass index, income, or chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS Optimism was not associated with leukocyte telomere length among African American adults. Future studies should investigate alternate biological and behavioral mechanisms that may explain the optimism-health association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harold H. Lee
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health (Address: 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115)
| | - Sakurako S. Okuzono
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health (Address: 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115)
| | - Eric S. Kim
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia (Address: 2136 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada)
| | - Immaculata De Vivo
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, (Address: 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115)
| | - Laura M. Raffield
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Address: Genetic Medicine Building, 120 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514)
| | - LáShauntá Glover
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Address: 135 Dauer Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27599)
| | - Mario Sims
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center (Address: 2500 N State St, Jackson, MS 39216)
| | - Francine Grodstein
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center (Address: 600 South Paulina Street, Suite 1028, Chicago, IL 60612)
| | - Laura D. Kubzansky
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health (Address: 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115)
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12
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Evans JR, Torres-Pérez JV, Miletto Petrazzini ME, Riley R, Brennan CH. Stress reactivity elicits a tissue-specific reduction in telomere length in aging zebrafish (Danio rerio). Sci Rep 2021; 11:339. [PMID: 33431974 PMCID: PMC7801459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79615-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual differences in personality are associated with variation in healthy aging. Health behaviours are often cited as the likely explanation for this association; however, an underlying biological mechanism may also exist. Accelerated leukocyte telomere shortening is implicated in multiple age-related diseases and is associated with chronic activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, providing a link between stress-related personality differences and adverse health outcomes. However, the effects of the HPA axis are tissue specific. Thus, leukocyte telomere length may not accurately reflect telomere length in disease-relevant tissues. Here, we examined the correlation between stress reactivity and telomere length in heart and brain tissue in young (6-9 month) and aging (18 month) zebrafish. Stress reactivity was assessed by tank diving and through gene expression. Telomere length was assessed using quantitative PCR. We show that aging zebrafish have shorter telomeres in both heart and brain. Telomere length was inversely related to stress reactivity in heart but not brain of aging individuals. These data support the hypotheses that an anxious predisposition contributes to accelerated telomere shortening in heart tissue, which may have important implications for our understanding of age-related heart disease, and that stress reactivity contributes to age-related telomere shortening in a tissue-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Evans
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London, E1 4NS UK
| | - Jose V. Torres-Pérez
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London, E1 4NS UK
| | - Maria Elena Miletto Petrazzini
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London, E1 4NS UK ,grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Riva Riley
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London, E1 4NS UK
| | - Caroline H. Brennan
- grid.4868.20000 0001 2171 1133School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Rd, London, E1 4NS UK
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13
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Ikeda S, Ikeda A, Yamagishi K, Hori M, Kubo S, Sata M, Okada C, Umesawa M, Sankai T, Kitamura A, Kiyama M, Ohira T, Tanigawa T, Iso H. Longitudinal Trends in Blood Pressure Associated With the Frequency of Laughter: The Circulatory Risk in Communities Study (CIRCS), a Longitudinal Study of the Japanese General Population. J Epidemiol 2020; 31:125-131. [PMID: 32092749 PMCID: PMC7813767 DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20190140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The frequency of laughter has been associated with cardiovascular disease and related biomarkers, but no previous studies have examined association between laughter and changes in blood pressure levels. We sought to identify temporal relationships between frequency of laughter in daily life and systolic and diastolic blood pressure changes in participants from 2010 through 2014. Methods Participants were 554 men and 887 women aged 40–74 years who answered self-administered questionnaire quantifying frequency of laughter at baseline. We measured participant blood pressure levels twice using automated sphygmomanometers for each year from 2010 to 2014. The associations between laughter and changes in blood pressure over time were analyzed using linear mixed-effect models. Results There was no significant difference in blood pressure according to frequency of laughter at baseline in either sex. Men with frequency of laughter 1 to 3 per month or almost never had significantly increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels over the 4-year period (time-dependent difference: 0.96 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.2 to 1.8; P = 0.05). Changes in blood pressure associated with infrequent laughter (ie, 1 to 3 per month or almost never) were evident in men without antihypertensive medication use over 4 years (0.94 mm Hg; 95% CI, −0.2 to 2.0; P = 0.09) and men who were current drinkers at baseline (1.29 mm Hg; 95% CI, −0.1 to 2.3; P = 0.04). No significant difference was found between frequency of laughter and systolic (0.23 mm Hg; 95% CI, −1.0 to 1.5; P = 0.72) and diastolic (−0.07 mm Hg; 95% CI, −0.8 to 0.7; P = 0.86) blood pressure changes in women. Conclusions Infrequent laughter was associated with long-term blood pressure increment among middle-aged men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satomi Ikeda
- Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Ai Ikeda
- Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Kazumasa Yamagishi
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Health Services Research Center, University of Tsukuba.,Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention
| | - Miyuki Hori
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Sachimi Kubo
- Cohort Study Team, Center for Cluster Development and Coordination, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe
| | - Mizuki Sata
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Health Services Research Center, University of Tsukuba.,Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention.,Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine
| | - Chika Okada
- Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Mitsumasa Umesawa
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Health Services Research Center, University of Tsukuba.,Department of Public Health, Dokkyo Medical University, School of Medicine.,Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention
| | - Tomoko Sankai
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Health Services Research Center, University of Tsukuba
| | - Akihiko Kitamura
- Research Team for Social Participation and Community Health, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital
| | - Masahiko Kiyama
- Osaka Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Prevention
| | - Tetsuya Ohira
- Department of Epidemiology, Fukushima Medical University
| | - Takeshi Tanigawa
- Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Hiroyasu Iso
- Department of Public Health, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine.,Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, and Health Services Research Center, University of Tsukuba.,Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
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14
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mounting evidence suggests that higher optimism is associated with reduced risk of age-related morbidities and premature mortality. However, possible biological mechanisms underlying these associations remain understudied. One hypothesized mechanism is a slower rate of cellular aging, which in turn delays age-related declines in health. METHODS We used data from two large cohort studies to test the hypothesis that higher optimism is associated with longer leukocyte telomere length. With cross-sectional data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; n = 6417; mean age = 70 years) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI; N = 3582; mean age = 63 years), we used linear regression models to examine the association of optimism with relative telomere length (assessed in leukocytes from saliva [HRS] or plasma [WHI]). Models adjusted for sociodemographics, depression, health status, and health behaviors. RESULTS Considering both optimism and telomere length as continuous variables, we found consistently null associations in both cohorts, regardless of which covariates were included in the models. In models adjusting for demographics, depression, comorbidities, and health behaviors, optimism was not associated with mean relative telomere length (HRS: β = -0.002, 95% confidence interval = -0.014 to 0.011; WHI: β = -0.004, 95% confidence interval = -0.017 to 0.009). CONCLUSIONS Findings do not support mean telomere length as a mechanism that explains observed relations of optimism with reduced risk of chronic disease in older adults. Future research is needed to evaluate other potential biological markers and pathways.
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15
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Rozanski A, Bavishi C, Kubzansky LD, Cohen R. Association of Optimism With Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2019; 2:e1912200. [PMID: 31560385 PMCID: PMC6777240 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.12200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Optimism and pessimism can be easily measured and are potentially modifiable mindsets that may be associated with cardiovascular risk and all-cause mortality. Objective To conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review of the association between optimism and risk for future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Data Sources and Study Selection PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO electronic databases were systematically searched from inception through July 2, 2019, to identify all cohort studies investigating the association between optimism and pessimism and cardiovascular events and/or all-cause mortality by using the following Medical Subject Heading terms: optimism, optimistic explanatory style, pessimism, outcomes, endpoint, mortality, death, cardiovascular events, stroke, coronary artery disease, coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and cardiovascular disease. Data Extraction and Synthesis Data were screened and extracted independently by 2 investigators (A.R. and C.B.). Adjusted effect estimates were used, and pooled analysis was performed using the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman random-effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the findings. The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline was followed. Main Outcomes and Measures Cardiovascular events included a composite of fatal cardiovascular mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and/or new-onset angina. All-cause mortality was assessed as a separate outcome. Results The search yielded 15 studies comprising 229 391 participants of which 10 studies reported data on cardiovascular events and 9 studies reported data on all-cause mortality. The mean follow-up period was 13.8 years (range, 2-40 years). On pooled analysis, optimism was significantly associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular events (relative risk, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51-0.78; P < .001), with high heterogeneity in the analysis (I2 = 87.4%). Similarly, optimism was significantly associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality (relative risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.92; P < .001), with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 73.2%). Subgroup analyses by methods for assessment, follow-up duration, sex, and adjustment for depression and other potential confounders yielded similar results. Conclusions and Relevance The findings suggest that optimism is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Future studies should seek to better define the biobehavioral mechanisms underlying this association and evaluate the potential benefit of interventions designed to promote optimism or reduce pessimism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Rozanski
- Department of Cardiology, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital, New York, New York
- Department of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Heart, New York, New York
- Department of Cardiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Chirag Bavishi
- Department of Cardiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence
| | - Laura D. Kubzansky
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Randy Cohen
- Department of Cardiology, Crystal Run Healthcare, West Nyack, New York
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16
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Cold parenting is associated with cellular aging in offspring: A retrospective study. Biol Psychol 2019; 145:142-149. [PMID: 31014776 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life stress is a known risk factor for diseases and premature death. We tested whether parenting style impacts telomere length (TL), a cellular aging biomarker. METHODS Information on parents' style of parenting was obtained from 199 participants in the Adventist Health Study-1 (AHS-1) who 27+ years later also enrolled in the AHS-2 where blood was collected for relative TL (rTL) assessment. RESULTS Subjects describing their mothers' parenting style as cold had on average 25% smaller rTL compared to subjects not reporting a cold mother (1.89 vs 2.53). This association was greatest among those with less education, and those who stayed overweight/obese or put on weight during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS These results support previous findings that early life stress may have health implications by promoting cellular aging, and expands these stressors to include cold parenting during an individuals' formative years. Higher education and normal weight seem to provide some resilience.
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17
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Tindle HA, Duncan MS, Liu S, Kuller LH, Fugate Woods N, Rapp SR, Kroenke CH, Coday M, Loucks EB, Lamonte MJ, Progovac AM, Salmoirago-Blotcher E, Walitt BT, Yuo NCY, Freiberg MS. Optimism, pessimism, cynical hostility, and biomarkers of metabolic function in the Women's Health Initiative. J Diabetes 2018; 10:512-523. [PMID: 28703425 PMCID: PMC8835287 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.12584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological attitudes reflecting expectations about the future (optimism, pessimism) and people (cynical hostility) independently predict incident cardiovascular disease and possibly diabetes, but underlying biologic pathways are incompletely understood. Herein we examined the cross-sectional relationship between optimism, pessimism, and cynicism and biomarkers of metabolic function in the Women's Health Initiative. METHODS Among 3443 postmenopausal women, biomarkers of metabolic function (fasting insulin [FINS] and glucose) were measured at baseline and used to calculate insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]) and pancreatic β-cell activity (homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function [HOMA-B]). Psychological attitudes were assessed by the Life Orientation Test, Revised (full scale, and optimism and pessimism subscales) and the Cook-Medley cynicism subscale. Multivariable linear regression modeled the association of psychological attitudes with biomarker levels, adjusting for sociodemographics, health conditions, and health behaviors. Because obesity promotes insulin resistance and obese individuals tend to report higher levels of pessimism and cynical hostility, an interaction with body mass index (BMI) was explored. RESULTS In fully adjusted models, only pessimism remained independently associated with higher FINS and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Scoring 1 point higher on the pessimism subscale was associated with a 1.2% higher FINS, whereas scoring 1 SD higher was associated with a 2.7% higher FINS (P = 0.03); results were similar for HOMA-IR. An interaction term with BMI was not significant. CONCLUSIONS In multivariable models, higher dispositional pessimism was associated with worse metabolic function; these findings were not modified by obesity status. Results extend prior work by linking pessimism to an objective biomarker of insulin resistance in elderly women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary A Tindle
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | - Simin Liu
- Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | | | - Steve R Rapp
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Mace Coday
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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18
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Epel ES, Prather AA. Stress, Telomeres, and Psychopathology: Toward a Deeper Understanding of a Triad of Early Aging. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2018; 14:371-397. [PMID: 29494257 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Telomeres play an important part in aging and show relationships to lifetime adversity, particularly childhood adversity. Meta-analyses demonstrate reliable associations between psychopathology (primarily depression) and shorter telomere length, but the nature of this relationship has not been fully understood. Here, we review and evaluate the evidence for impaired telomere biology as a consequence of psychopathology or as a contributing factor, and the important mediating roles of chronic psychological stress and impaired allostasis. There is evidence for a triadic relationship among stress, telomere shortening, and psychiatric disorders that is positively reinforcing and unfolds across the life course and, possibly, across generations. We review the role of genetics and biobehavioral responses that may contribute to shorter telomere length, as well as the neurobiological impact of impaired levels of telomerase. These complex interrelationships are important to elucidate because they have implications for mental and physical comorbidity and, potentially, for the prevention and treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aric A Prather
- Department of Psychiatry; Center for Health and Community; Aging, Metabolism, and Emotions Center; University of California, San Francisco, California 94118, USA; ,
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19
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Suzuki A, Matsumoto Y, Enokido M, Shirata T, Goto K, Otani K. Relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and leukocyte telomere length. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2017; 18:112. [PMID: 29017469 PMCID: PMC5634896 DOI: 10.1186/s12881-017-0473-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes, and telomere length represents a biological marker for cellular aging. Interpersonal sensitivity, excessive sensitivity to the behavior and feelings of others, is one of the vulnerable factors to depression. In the present study, we examined the effect of interpersonal sensitivity on telomere length in healthy subjects. METHODS The subjects were 159 unrelated healthy Japanese volunteers. Mean age ± SD (range) of the subjects was 42.3 ± 7.8 (30-61) years. Interpersonal sensitivity was assessed by the Japanese version of the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM). Leukocyte telomere length was determined by a quantitative real-time PCR method. RESULTS Higher scores of the total IPSM were significantly (β = -0.163, p = 0.038) related to shorter telomere length. In the sub-scale analysis, higher scores of timidity were significantly (β = -0.220, p = 0.044) associated with shorter telomere length. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that subjects with higher interpersonal sensitivity have shorter leukocyte telomere length, implying that interpersonal sensitivity has an impact on cellular aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihito Suzuki
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiko Matsumoto
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
| | - Masanori Enokido
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
| | - Toshinori Shirata
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
| | - Kaoru Goto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
| | - Koichi Otani
- Department of Psychiatry, Yamagata University School of Medicine, 2-2-2 Iidanishi, Yamagata, 990-9585, Japan
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20
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Kim ES, Hagan KA, Grodstein F, DeMeo DL, De Vivo I, Kubzansky LD. Optimism and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study. Am J Epidemiol 2017; 185:21-29. [PMID: 27927621 DOI: 10.1093/aje/kww182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence has linked positive psychological attributes like optimism to a lower risk of poor health outcomes, especially cardiovascular disease. It has been demonstrated in randomized trials that optimism can be learned. If associations between optimism and broader health outcomes are established, it may lead to novel interventions that improve public health and longevity. In the present study, we evaluated the association between optimism and cause-specific mortality in women after considering the role of potential confounding (sociodemographic characteristics, depression) and intermediary (health behaviors, health conditions) variables. We used prospective data from the Nurses' Health Study (n = 70,021). Dispositional optimism was measured in 2004; all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates were assessed from 2006 to 2012. Using Cox proportional hazard models, we found that a higher degree of optimism was associated with a lower mortality risk. After adjustment for sociodemographic confounders, compared with women in the lowest quartile of optimism, women in the highest quartile had a hazard ratio of 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.66, 0.76) for all-cause mortality. Adding health behaviors, health conditions, and depression attenuated but did not eliminate the associations (hazard ratio = 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.85, 0.97). Associations were maintained for various causes of death, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and infection. Given that optimism was associated with numerous causes of mortality, it may provide a valuable target for new research on strategies to improve health.
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21
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Pänkäläinen M, Kerola T, Kampman O, Kauppi M, Hintikka J. Pessimism and risk of death from coronary heart disease among middle-aged and older Finns: an eleven-year follow-up study. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:1124. [PMID: 27852243 PMCID: PMC5112655 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3764-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) remains at quite notable levels. Research on the risk factors and the treatment of CHD has focused on physiological factors, but there is an increasing amount of evidence connecting mental health and personality traits to CHD, too. The data concerning the connection of CHD and dispositional optimism and pessimism as personality traits is relatively scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between optimism, pessimism, and CHD mortality. Methods This was an 11-year prospective cohort study on a regional sample of three cohorts, aged 52–56, 62–66, and 72–76 years at baseline (N = 2815). The levels of dispositional optimism and pessimism of the study subjects were determined at baseline using a revised version of the Life Orientation Test (LOT-R). Eleven years later, those results and follow-up data about CHD as a cause of death were used to calculate odds. Adjustments were made for cardiovascular disease risk. Results Those who died because of CHD were significantly more pessimistic at baseline than the others. This finding applies to both men and women. Among the study subjects in the highest quartile of pessimism, the adjusted risk of death caused by CHD was approximately 2.2-fold (OR 2.17, 95 % CI 1.21–3.89) compared to the subjects in the lowest quartile. Optimism did not seem to have any connection with the risk of CHD-induced mortality. Conclusions Pessimism seems to be a substantial risk factor for death from CHD. As an easily measured variable, it might be a very useful tool together with the other known risk factors to determine the risk of CHD-induced mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko Pänkäläinen
- Department of Psychiatry, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, FI-15850, Lahti, Finland.
| | - Tuomas Kerola
- Department of Internal Medicine, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland
| | - Olli Kampman
- Department of Psychiatry, Seinäjoki Hospital District, Seinäjoki, Finland.,University of Tampere, School of Medicine, Tampere, Finland
| | - Markku Kauppi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland.,University of Tampere, School of Medicine, Tampere, Finland
| | - Jukka Hintikka
- Department of Psychiatry, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, FI-15850, Lahti, Finland.,University of Tampere, School of Medicine, Tampere, Finland
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22
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Schutte NS, Palanisamy SKA, McFarlane JR. The relationship between positive psychological characteristics and longer telomeres. Psychol Health 2016; 31:1466-1480. [PMID: 27616348 DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2016.1226308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Longer telomeres are associated with better health and longevity. This research investigated the relationship between positive psychological dispositional traits and telomere length. Positive traits examined were typical high positive affect, typical low negative affect, life satisfaction, trait mindfulness, trait emotional intelligence, general self-efficacy and optimism. DESIGN AND MEASURES One hundred and twenty women and men, with a mean age of 40.92, completed measures of positive characteristics and provided samples for telomere length analysis. RESULTS Together the positive dispositional characteristics explained significant variance in telomere length, R = .40. Among the individual characteristics, greater optimism and higher emotional intelligence were associated with longer telomeres after adjustment for age and gender and the association between optimism and telomere length remained significant after adjusting for age and gender as well as the other positive characteristics, with a partial correlation r of .30. CONCLUSION These results in conjunction with previous research findings provide a platform for further exploration of biological pathways connecting positive characteristics such as optimism to telomere length and investigation of the impact of increasing a characteristic such as optimism on telomere functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suresh K A Palanisamy
- b Centre for Bioactive Discovery in Health and Ageing, School of Science and Technology , University of New England , Armidale , Australia
| | - James R McFarlane
- b Centre for Bioactive Discovery in Health and Ageing, School of Science and Technology , University of New England , Armidale , Australia
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Kubzansky LD, Boehm JK, Segerstrom SC. Positive Psychological Functioning and the Biology of Health. SOCIAL AND PERSONALITY PSYCHOLOGY COMPASS 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pänkäläinen MT, Kerola TV, Hintikka JJ. Pessimism and the risk for coronary heart disease among middle-aged and older Finnish men and women: a ten-year follow-up study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2015; 15:113. [PMID: 26432506 PMCID: PMC4592564 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-015-0097-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the growth in knowledge about coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors, and the advances made in preventing and treating them, the incidence of CHD is still notably quite high. Research has concentrated on the physiological factors that present risks for CHD, but there is an increasing amount of evidence for the connection of mental health, personal traits and CHD. Data on the connection of disposition (optimism or pessimism) and CHD are relatively scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term connection between optimism, pessimism and the risk for having CHD. Methods This was a ten-year prospective cohort study on a regional sample of three cohorts aged 52–56, 62–66 and 72–76 years at baseline (N = 2815). The study groups were personally interviewed four times (in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2012). The revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R) was completed at the first appointment to determine the level of dispositional optimism or pessimism. During the ten-year follow-up, the incidence of new cases of coronary heart diseases was measured. The association between dispositional optimism/pessimism and the incidence of CHD during the follow-up was studied with logistic regression. Results Those who developed coronary heart disease during the ten-year follow-up were significantly more pessimistic at baseline than the other subjects. Using multivariate logistic regression models separately for men and women, we noticed no elevated risk for CHD in the pessimistic women compared to the non-pessimistic women. However, among men in the highest quartile of pessimism, the risk for CHD was approximately four-fold (OR 4.11, 95 % CI 1.68–11.04) that of the men in the lowest quartile. Optimism did not seem to have any role in the risk for developing CHD. Discussion Our main finding is that pessimism seemed to be a clear risk factor for coronary heart disease in men even after adjusting for classical well-known risk factors while optimism did not seem to be a protective factor. Connection between pessimism and coronary heart disease was not detectable among women. Similar gender differences between psychosocial factors and overall well-being have been noticed in some earlier studies, too. The mechanism of this gender difference is not fully understood. Differences between men and women in somatic responses to stress found in earlier studies may at least partly explain this phenomenon. The impact of optimism and pessimism on cardiovascular disease has been studied earlier and several possible mechanisms have been discovered but it seems clear that they cannot fully explain the association. For example, optimists have healthier lifestyles which lowers the risk for coronary heart disease, but pessimism was established to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in our study even in logistic regressions including the best known classical risk factors, e.g. smoking and high level of blood glucose. According to our study it is important to pay attention also to the psychosocial components in addition to the well-known risk factors when planning the prevention of coronary heart disease. Measuring pessimism is quite easy and it consumes very little time. Once the amount of pessimism is ascertained, it is easier to define who is in the greatest need of preventive actions concerning coronary heart disease. Conclusions Pessimism seems to be a substantial risk factor for CHD, and as an easily measured variable it might be a very useful tool together with the well-known physiological risk factors to determine the risk for developing CHD, at least among men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko T Pänkäläinen
- Department of Psychiatry, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, FI-15850, Lahti, Finland.
| | - Tuomas V Kerola
- Department of Internal Medicine, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland.
| | - Jukka J Hintikka
- Department of Psychiatry, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Keskussairaalankatu 7, FI-15850, Lahti, Finland. .,School of Medicine, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland.
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Abstract
Earthing (grounding) refers to bringing the body in contact with the Earth. Health benefits were previously reported, but no study exists about mood. This study was conducted to assess if Earthing improves mood. 40 adult participants were either grounded or sham-grounded (no grounding) for 1 hr. while relaxing in a comfortable recliner chair equipped with a conductive pillow, mat, and patches connecting them to the ground. This pilot project was double-blinded and the Brief Mood Introspection Scale (comprising 4 mood scales) was used. Pleasant and positive moods statistically significantly improved among grounded-but not sham-grounded-participants. It is concluded that the 1-hr. contact with the Earth improved mood more than expected by relaxation alone. More extensive studies are, therefore, warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaétan Chevalier
- 1 Developmental and Cell Biology Department, University of California at Irvine
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