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Sutin AR, Luchetti M, Stephan Y, Stokes JE, Terracciano A. Purpose in life and stress: Momentary associations from a micro-longitudinal study. Stress Health 2024:e3464. [PMID: 39140742 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Purpose in life is an aspect of well-being associated with less subjective stress. The present research sought to expand this literature by testing the association between both dispositional and momentary purpose with stress in daily life using a micro-longitudinal study design. Participants (N = 303) reported their dispositional purpose at baseline and reported their momentary purpose and stress three times a day for 8 days. Between-person, dispositional purpose was associated with less momentary stress across the 8 days tested with linear regression (β = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.39, -18, p < 0.001); it was unrelated to variability in stress (β = 0.05, 95% CI = -0.05, 0.14, p = 0.310). In contrast, the within-person analysis tested with multilevel modelling indicated that in moments when participants felt more purpose-driven than their average, they felt more stressed (b = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.06, 0.12, SE = 0.01, p < 0.001). This association was slightly stronger among participants with relatively lower dispositional purpose (binteraction = -0.04, SE = 0.02, 95% CI = -0.08, -0.01, p = 0.032). This study replicated the negative association between dispositional purpose and subjective stress when stress was measured at moments in daily life. It also found that feeling more purpose-driven than usual in the moment is stressful, a counterintuitive finding that, if replicated, suggests that striving for purpose can be stressful in the moment, even if feeling more purposeful in general is associated with lower stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina R Sutin
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Martina Luchetti
- Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Yannick Stephan
- Euromov, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, Vermont, USA
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Hill PL, Pfund GN, Cruitt PJ, Spears I, Norton SA, Bogdan R, Oltmanns TF. Personality traits moderate associations between word recall and subjective memory. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2024; 31:705-722. [PMID: 37665355 PMCID: PMC11139457 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2023.2249195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive gerontology research requires consideration of performance as well as perceptions of performance. While subjective memory is positively associated with memory performance, these correlations typically are modest in magnitude, leading to the need to consider whether certain people may show weaker or stronger linkages between performance and perceptions. The current study leveraged personality (NEO Big Five), memory performance (i.e., word recall), and perceptions of memory ability (i.e., metamemory in adulthood and memory decline) data from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network (SPAN) study (n = 774, mean age: 71.52 years). Extraversion and conscientiousness held the most consistent associations with the cognitive variables of interest, as both traits were positively associated with metamemory and word recall, but negatively associated with subjective decline. Moreover, extraversion moderated associations between word recall and both memory capacity and complaints, insofar that objective-subjective associations were weaker for those adults higher in extraversion. These findings highlight the need to understand how personality influences the sources of information employed for subjective cognitive beliefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L Hill
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Gabrielle N Pfund
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - Isaiah Spears
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sara A Norton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ryan Bogdan
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thomas F Oltmanns
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Nair AK, Adluru N, Finley AJ, Gresham LK, Skinner SE, Alexander AL, Davidson RJ, Ryff CD, Schaefer SM. Purpose in life as a resilience factor for brain health: diffusion MRI findings from the Midlife in the U.S. study. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1355998. [PMID: 38505799 PMCID: PMC10948414 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1355998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction A greater sense of purpose in life is associated with several health benefits relevant for active aging, but the mechanisms remain unclear. We evaluated if purpose in life was associated with indices of brain health. Methods We examined data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Neuroscience Project. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging data (n=138; mean age 65.2 years, age range 48-95; 80 females; 37 black, indigenous, and people of color) were used to estimate microstructural indices of brain health such as axonal density, and axonal orientation. The seven-item purpose in life scale was used. Permutation analysis of linear models was used to examine associations between purpose in life scores and the diffusion metrics in white matter and in the bilateral hippocampus, adjusting for age, sex, education, and race. Results and discussion Greater sense of purpose in life was associated with brain microstructural features consistent with better brain health. Positive associations were found in both white matter and the right hippocampus, where multiple convergent associations were detected. The hippocampus is a brain structure involved in learning and memory that is vulnerable to stress but retains the capacity to grow and adapt through old age. Our findings suggest pathways through which an enhanced sense of purpose in life may contribute to better brain health and promote healthy aging. Since purpose in life is known to decline with age, interventions and policy changes that facilitate a greater sense of purpose may extend and improve the brain health of individuals and thus improve public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Kumar Nair
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nagesh Adluru
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Anna J. Finley
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Lauren K. Gresham
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Sarah E. Skinner
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Andrew L. Alexander
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Richard J. Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Carol D. Ryff
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Stacey M. Schaefer
- Institute on Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Torenvliet C, Groenman AP, Agelink van Rentergem JA, Radhoe TA, Geurts HM. When mind and measurement diverge; the interplay between subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs), objective cognition, age, and depression in autistic adults. Psychiatry Res 2024; 333:115759. [PMID: 38301288 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
While the increased incidence of dementia and subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) suggests that autistic adults may face cognitive challenges at older age, the extent to which SCCs predict (future) cognitive functioning remains uncertain. This uncertainty is complicated by associations with variables like depression. The current study aims to unravel the interplay of age, depression, cognitive performance, and SCCs in autism. Using a large cross-sectional cohort of autistic (n=202) and non-autistic adults (n=247), we analyzed associations of SCCs with age, depression, and cognitive performance across three domains (visual memory, verbal memory, and fluency). Results showed a strong significant association between depression and SCCs in both autistic and non-autistic adults. Cognitive performance was not significantly associated with SCCs, except for a (modest) association between visual memory performance and SCCs in autistic adults only. Follow-up regression tree analysis indicated that depression and being autistic were considerably more predictive of SCCs than objective cognitive performance. Age nor sex was significantly associated with SCCs. These findings indicate that self-reported cognitive functioning does not equal cognitive performance, and should be interpreted with care, especially in individuals with high rates of depression. Longitudinal investigations are needed to understand SCCs' role in dementia and cognitive health in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolien Torenvliet
- Department of Psychology, Dutch Autism & ADHD Research Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Annabeth P Groenman
- Department of Psychology, Dutch Autism & ADHD Research Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands; Accare Child Study Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Tulsi A Radhoe
- Department of Psychology, Dutch Autism & ADHD Research Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, Autism Clinic (Youz/Parnassia Group), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hilde M Geurts
- Department of Psychology, Dutch Autism & ADHD Research Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Dr. Leo Kannerhuis, Autism Clinic (Youz/Parnassia Group), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Zhang J, Xiang X, Yang X, Mei Q, Cheng L. The effect of self-disclosure on loneliness among patients with coronary heart disease: The chain mediating effect of social support and sense of coherence. Heart Lung 2024; 64:74-79. [PMID: 38061319 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2023.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Loneliness is prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). It has a serious impact on the physical and mental health and the quality of life of patients with CHD. However, what factors contribute to loneliness and the mechanism of action still need to be explored. OBJECTIVES To explore the chain mediating effect among self-disclosure, social support, sense of coherence and loneliness in patients with CHD through a chain mediating model. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 248 patients with CHD from three tertiary hospitals in Shiyan, Hubei Province, China. Self-reported scales were used to assess feelings of loneliness, self-disclosure, social support and sense of coherence. The Amos 26.0 software was used to construct the chain mediating effect. RESULTS Self-disclosure cannot directly affect patients' loneliness (β = -0.60, P>0.05). Social support and sense of coherence play a significant complete mediating role between self-disclosure and loneliness, with an overall mediating effect value of -0.479. CONCLUSION Self-disclosure in CHD patients indirectly affect loneliness through social support and sense of coherence (β = -0.479, P = 0.001). Improving patient self-disclosure and modulation of social support and sense of coherence help reduce in loneliness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Zhang
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30, Renmin South Road, Maojian District, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, PR China
| | - Xiancheng Xiang
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30, Renmin South Road, Maojian District, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Yang
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30, Renmin South Road, Maojian District, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, PR China
| | - Qian Mei
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30, Renmin South Road, Maojian District, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, PR China
| | - Li Cheng
- School of Nursing, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 30, Renmin South Road, Maojian District, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, PR China.
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Burrow AL. Beyond Finding Purpose: Motivating a Translational Science of Purpose Acquisition. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6091. [PMID: 37372678 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
A broad interest in finding purpose is understandable, as having purpose is situated in notions of "the good life" and is linked in studies to greater health and wellbeing. Yet, the empirical basis for whether purpose is truly findable is inadequate, lacking guidance from theories predicting behavioral capacities that drive its acquisition. If feeling purposeful is as favorable as studies suggest, then more transparent and precise explanations of how it is derived are needed; otherwise, the field risks illuminating this resource while leaving the pathways to it unlit. Here, I call for a translational science of purpose acquisition directed at gathering and disseminating evidence of the processes by which this sense can be cultivated. I introduce a minimal viable framework for integrating basic and applied investigations into purpose by bridging laboratory research, intervention and implementation efforts, community-engaged practices, and policies to accelerate testing and strategies for enhancing this salubrious sense in people's lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony L Burrow
- Department of Psychology, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
- Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Hopkins EG, Leman PJ, Cervin M, Numbers K, Brodaty H, Kochan NA, Sachdev PS, Medvedev ON. Network of mental activities, cognitive function and depression in older men and women. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 162:113-122. [PMID: 37148602 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.030] [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: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests that lifestyle activities impact cognitive and mental health in older populations. However, how lifestyle factors are associated with one another, and which factors are most important for cognitive function and mental health has received comparatively little attention. DESIGN Bayesian-Gaussian network analysis was used to investigate unique associations between mental activities (MA; i.e., activities involving cognitive engagement), global cognition, and depression at three time-points in a large sample of older adults (baseline, 2 years, and 4 years follow-up). SETTING This study used longitudinal data from participants living in Australia and participating in the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study. PARTICIPANTS The sample included 998 participants (55% female) aged between 70 and 90, without a diagnosis of dementia at baseline. MEASUREMENTS Neuropsychological assessment of global cognition, self-reported depressive symptoms, and self-reported information about daily MA. RESULTS Cognitive functioning was positively associated with playing tabletop games and using the internet in both sexes at all time-points. MA were differentially linked in men and women. Depression was not consistently associated with MA in men across the three time-points; women who visited artistic events consistently had lower depression scores. CONCLUSIONS Engaging with tabletop games and using the internet was associated with better cognition in both sexes, however sex acted as a modifier for other associations. These findings are useful for future investigations that consider interactive associations between MA, cognition, and mental health in older adults, and their possible roles in promoting healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella G Hopkins
- University of Waikato, School of Psychology, Hamilton, New Zealand.
| | - Patrick J Leman
- University of Waikato, School of Psychology, Hamilton, New Zealand.
| | | | - Katya Numbers
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Nicole A Kochan
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Oleg N Medvedev
- University of Waikato, School of Psychology, Hamilton, New Zealand.
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Yager J, Kay J. Purpose in Life: Addressing Transdiagnostic Psychopathologies Concerning Patients' Sense of Purpose. J Nerv Ment Dis 2023; 211:411-418. [PMID: 37094572 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Having a purpose in life is strongly associated with well-being and quality of life. Some individuals develop their sense of purpose early in life and can sustain lifelong ideals. In contrast, we identify four transdiagnostic syndromes where purpose in life is impaired: 1) deficiencies in generating purpose; 2) loss of purpose due to traumatic events such as catastrophic illnesses or bereavements; 3) conflicts due to crossed purposes; and 4) maladaptive purposes, such as life-limiting single-minded goals, dominating others, or exacting revenge. Several psychotherapies associated with positive and existential psychologies help patients construct, reconstruct, or retain a sense of purpose. However, given the strong links between a sense of purpose and beneficial health and mental health outcomes, the authors suggest that many patients in psychiatric treatment including psychotherapies will benefit from attention to these issues. This article reviews approaches for assessing and addressing purpose in life in psychiatric treatment, to enhance patients' healthy sense of purpose where this characteristic is impaired.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Yager
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Jerald Kay
- Department of Psychiatry, Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
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