Meaning in Life and Mortality
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this exploratory study was to see if meaning in life is associated with mortality in old age. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with a nationwide sample of older adults (N = 1,361). Data were collected on meaning in life, mortality, and select control measures. RESULTS: Three main findings emerged from this study. First, the data suggest that older people with a strong sense of meaning in life are less likely to die over the study follow-up period than those who do not have a strong sense of meaning. Second, the findings indicate that the effect of meaning on mortality can be attributed to the potentially important indirect effect that operates through health. Third, further analysis revealed that one dimension of meaning-having a strong sense of purpose in life--has a stronger relationship with mortality than other facets of meaning. The main study findings were observed after the effects of attendance at religious services and emotional support were controlled statistically. DISCUSSION: If the results from this study can be replicated, then interventions should be designed to help older people find a greater sense of purpose in life.
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A growing body of findings from longitudinal epidemiological studies shows that purpose predicts reduced morbidity (including reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, stroke, and myocardial infarction) and extended longevity.
“A growing body of findings from longitudinal epidemiological studies show that purpose predicts reduced morbidity (e.g., reduced risk of Alzheimer ' s disease and mild cognitive impairment, as well as reduced risk of stroke and myocardial infarction) and extended longevity (10, 16 -21).”
From Purpose in life and use of preventive health care services (2014) · cites this paper as [18]
The Dimensions of Meaning in Life and Mortality section reports that purpose was associated with lower mortality among older adults, although the association was no longer significant after accounting for self-rated health and functional disability (page not supplied). The paper does not report that purpose reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, stroke, or myocardial infarction; its health analyses address broader measures of health and disability. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredOf the 11 best studies on R/S and optimism, eight (73%) reported significant positive relationships.
“Of the 11 best studies, eight (73%) reported significant positive relationships [82–85].”
From Religion, Spirituality, and Health: The Research and Clinical Implications (2012) · cites this paper as [84]
The Results and Elaborations and Extensions sections examine meaning in life, religious attendance, and mortality. A search for the 11-study count and for religion/spirituality and optimism found no passage reporting that eight of 11 studies showed significant positive relationships. Page numbers were not available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredHigher PIL is associated with less disability.
“In numerous prospective research studies, higher PIL has been associated with better self-rated health,22 fewer chronic diseases (eg, stroke,8,19 myocardial infarctions9), reduced pain,11 less disability,7,10,11 less dementia and Alzheimer's disease,23 and reduced mortality.6,10,11”
From Purpose in Life and Positive Health Outcomes Among Older Adults (2018) · cites this paper as [10]
Higher PIL is associated with reduced mortality.
“In numerous prospective research studies, higher PIL has been associated with better self-rated health,22 fewer chronic diseases (eg, stroke,8,19 myocardial infarctions9), reduced pain,11 less disability,7,10,11 less dementia and Alzheimer's disease,23 and reduced mortality.6,10,11”
From Purpose in Life and Positive Health Outcomes Among Older Adults (2018) · cites this paper as [10]
Several researchers have recommended a focus on goal-driven, meaningful activities defined as hobbies, volunteerism, religious involvement, or physical activities.
“Interventions focused exclusively on PIL have yet to be developed, although several researchers have recommended a focus on goal-driven, meaningful activities defined as hobbies, volunteerism, religious involvement, or physical activities.”
From Purpose in Life and Positive Health Outcomes Among Older Adults (2018) · cites this paper as [10]
Interventions focused exclusively on PIL have yet to be developed.
“Interventions focused exclusively on PIL have yet to be developed, although several researchers have recommended a focus on goal-driven, meaningful activities defined as hobbies, volunteerism, religious involvement, or physical activities.”
From Purpose in Life and Positive Health Outcomes Among Older Adults (2018) · cites this paper as [10]
While theoretically improving PIL should be possible, the PIL scores are very stable so expectations would predict relatively small changes with any intervention.
“To date, while theoretically improving PIL should be possible, the PIL scores are very stable so expectations would predict relatively small changes with any intervention.”
From Purpose in Life and Positive Health Outcomes Among Older Adults (2018) · cites this paper as [10]
Numerous prospective studies from 2 to 8 years would strongly suggest that high PIL results in better health and less disability.
“Numerous prospective studies from 2 to 8 years would strongly suggest that high PIL results in better health and less disability.”
From Purpose in Life and Positive Health Outcomes Among Older Adults (2018) · cites this paper as [10]
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- Authors
- Krause, N.
- Affiliations
- University of Michigan (US)
- Corresponding author
- Krause, N.
- ORCID
- Krause, N.
- Venue
- The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2009-06-10
- Volume
- 64B
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 517-527
- ISSN
- 1079-5014 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-5368
- PMC
- PMC2905132
- OpenAlex
- W2114569484
- Cited by
- 363
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 13.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The Journals of Gerontology Series B (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- John Templeton Foundation
- National Institute on Aging (R01AG009221, RO1 AG014749, R01 AG 09221, R01AG014749)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- meaning in life, mortality, older adults, meaning of life, religious service attendance, emotional support
- MeSH terms
- Affect, Aged, Attitude, Chronic Disease, Demography, Persons with Disabilities, Health Status, Humans, Mortality, Surveys and Questionnaires, Social Support, Life
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