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Optimism and Longevity Among Japanese Older Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Sakurako S. Okuzono

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    Tokyo Medical and Dental University)

  • Koichiro Shiba

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    Harvard Institute for Quantitative Social Science)

  • Harold H. Lee

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

  • Kokoro Shirai

    (Osaka University)

  • Hayami K. Koga

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

  • Naoki Kondo

    (Kyoto University School of Public Health)

  • Takeo Fujiwara

    (Tokyo Medical and Dental University)

  • Katsunori Kondo

    (Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology
    Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University)

  • Fran Grodstein

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    Rush Medical College)

  • Laura D. Kubzansky

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

  • Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald

    (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health)

Abstract

Optimism has been linked to better physical health across various outcomes, including greater longevity. However, most evidence is from Western populations, leaving it unclear whether these relationships may generalize to other cultural backgrounds. Using secondary data analysis, we evaluated the associations of optimism among older Japanese adults. Data were from a nationwide cohort study of Japanese older adults aged ≥ 65 years (Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study; n = 10,472). In 2010, optimism and relevant covariates (i.e., sociodemographic factors, physical health conditions, depressive symptoms, and health behaviors) were self-reported. Optimism was measured using the Japanese version of the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R). Lifespan was determined using mortality information from the public long-term care insurance database through 2017 (7-year follow-up). Accelerated failure time models examined optimism (quintiles or standardized continuous scores) in relation to percent differences in lifespan. Potential effect modification by gender, income, and education was also investigated. Overall, 733 individuals (7%) died during the follow-up period. Neither continuous nor categorical levels of optimism were associated with lifespan after progressive adjustment for covariates (e.g., in fully-adjusted models: percent differences in lifespan per 1-SD increase in continuous optimism scores = − 1.2%, 95%CI − 3.4, 1.1 higher versus lower optimism quintiles = − 4.1%, 95%CI − 11.2, 3.6). The association between optimism and lifespan was null across all sociodemographic strata as well. Contrary to the existing evidence from Western populations, optimism was unrelated to longevity among Japanese older adults. The association between optimism, as evaluated by the LOT-R, and longevity may differ across cultural contexts.

Suggested Citation

  • Sakurako S. Okuzono & Koichiro Shiba & Harold H. Lee & Kokoro Shirai & Hayami K. Koga & Naoki Kondo & Takeo Fujiwara & Katsunori Kondo & Fran Grodstein & Laura D. Kubzansky & Claudia Trudel-Fitzgerald, 2022. "Optimism and Longevity Among Japanese Older Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 2581-2595, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:23:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1007_s10902-022-00511-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-022-00511-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julia K Boehm & Ying Chen & David R Williams & Carol Ryff & Laura D Kubzansky, 2015. "Unequally Distributed Psychological Assets: Are There Social Disparities in Optimism, Life Satisfaction, and Positive Affect?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(2), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Carol Graham & Sergio Pinto, 2019. "Unequal hopes and lives in the USA: optimism, race, place, and premature mortality," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 32(2), pages 665-733, April.
    3. Douglas Medin & Bethany Ojalehto & Ananda Marin & Megan Bang, 2017. "Systems of (non-)diversity," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 1(5), pages 1-5, May.
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