The Health Significance of Positive Emotions in Adulthood and Later Life

Ong, Anthony D.; Mroczek, Daniel K.; Riffin, Catherine

doi:10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00370.x

Cited by 57Aging and Gerontology ResearchPsychological Well-being and Life SatisfactionOptimism, Hope, and Well-being

The Health Significance of Positive Emotions in Adulthood and Later Life

Open access

Ong, Anthony D., Mroczek, Daniel K., Riffin, Catherine·2011·Social and Personality Psychology Compass

DOI 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00370.xPMC PMC3173764

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

A growing body of literature supports a link between positive emotions and health in older adults. In this article, we review evidence of the effects of positive emotions on downstream biological processes and meaningful clinical endpoints, such as adult morbidity and mortality. We then present relevant predictions from lifespan theories that suggest changes in cognition and motivation may play an important role in explaining how positive emotions are well maintained in old age, despite pervasive declines in cognitive processes. We conclude by discussing how the application of psychological theory can inform greater understanding of the adaptive significance of positive emotions in adulthood and later life.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00370.x

Cites

89 of 89 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Positive emotions contribute positively to health outcomes in general.
“while they also seem to contribute positively to health outcomes in general 69.”
From Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives. (2013) · cites this paper as [69]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: Implications for affect, relationships, and well-being.
Gross, J. J., & John, O. P. (2003) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.85.2.348 · Cited by 11,929 · cited 1× · see citing works
“…Blackwell Publishing Ltd Aging and the regulation of positive emotion Although supportive evidence exists that emotion regulation processes are linked to wellbeing (Gross & John, 2003), there is growing recognition that the specific emotion regulatory acts that people engage in may vary with age.”
Taking time seriously: A theory of socioemotional selectivity.
Carstensen, L. L., Isaacowitz, D. M., & Charles, S. T. (1999) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037//0003-066x.54.3.165 · Cited by 5,377 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Evidence for the health benefits of positivity in older adults comes from a study by Carstensen et al. (2011), who found that positive emotional experience (assessed by subtracting the average of negative emotion from the average of positive emotion) was predictive of survival.”
Influential
The mental health continuum: from languishing to flourishing in life.
Keyes, C. L. M. (2002) · Journal of Health and Social Behavior · doi:10.2307/3090197 · Cited by 5,133 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Although most theories view affect balance as a hallmark of subjective well-being, few specify how much positivity is actually needed to produce a state of optimal well-being or flourishing (Keyes, 2002).”
The broaden–and–build theory of positive emotions
Fredrickson, B. L. (2004) · Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences · doi:10.1098/rstb.2004.1512 · Cited by 4,214 · see citing works
Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation
Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990) · Successful Aging · doi:10.1017/cbo9780511665684.003 · Cited by 3,739 · see citing works
Positive Emotions Trigger Upward Spirals Toward Emotional Well-Being
Fredrickson, B. L., & Joiner, T. (2002) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00431 · Cited by 2,655 · see citing works
Healthy and unhealthy emotion regulation: Personality processes, individual differences, and life span development
John, O. P., & Gross, J. J. (2004) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2004.00298.x · Cited by 2,381 · see citing works
Positive affect and the complex dynamics of human flourishing
Fredrickson, B. L., & Losada, M. F. (2005) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/0003-066x.60.7.678 · Cited by 2,334 · see citing works
A neuropsychological theory of positive affect and its influence on cognition.
Ashby, F. G., Isen, A. M., & Turken, A. U. (1999) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/0033-295x.106.3.529 · Cited by 2,270 · see citing works
Does positive affect influence health?
Pressman, S. D., & Cohen, S. (2005) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.131.6.925 · Cited by 2,087 · see citing works
Aging and motivated cognition: the positivity effect in attention and memory
Mather, M., & Carstensen, L. L. (2005) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2005.08.005 · Cited by 1,910 · see citing works
Social and Emotional Aging
Charles, S. T., & Carstensen, L. L. (2010) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.093008.100448 · Cited by 1,630 · see citing works
Positive Psychological Well-Being and Mortality: A Quantitative Review of Prospective Observational Studies
Chida, Y., & Steptoe, A. (2008) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31818105ba · Cited by 1,592 · see citing works
The effect of age on positive and negative affect: A developmental perspective on happiness.
Mroczek, D. K., & Kolarz, C. M. (1998) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.75.5.1333 · Cited by 1,573 · see citing works
Self-citation
Psychological resilience, positive emotions, and successful adaptation to stress in later life.
Ong, A. D., Bergeman, C. S., Bisconti, T. L., & Wallace, K. A. (2006) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.91.4.730 · Cited by 1,567 · see citing works
Self-citation
Emotional experience in everyday life across the adult life span.
Carstensen, L. L., Pasupathi, M., Mayr, U., & Nesselroade, J. R. (2000) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.79.4.644 · Cited by 1,558 · see citing works
The Undoing Effect of Positive Emotions
Fredrickson, B. L., Mancuso, R. A., Branigan, C., & Tugade, M. M. (2000) · Motivation and Emotion · doi:10.1023/a:1010796329158 · Cited by 1,290 · see citing works
Emotional experience improves with age: Evidence based on over 10 years of experience sampling
Carstensen, L. L., Turan, B., Scheibe, S., Ram, N., Ersner-Hershfield, H., Samanez-Larkin, G. R., Brooks, K. P., & Nesselroade, J. R. (2011) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0021285 · Cited by 1,223 · see citing works
Strength and vulnerability integration: A model of emotional well-being across adulthood.
Charles, S. T. (2010) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0021232 · Cited by 1,213 · see citing works
Emotions, morbidity, and mortality: new perspectives from psychoneuroimmunology.
Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., McGuire, L., Robles, T. F., & Glaser, R. (2002) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135217 · Cited by 1,176 · see citing works
Aging and emotional memory: the forgettable nature of negative images for older adults
Charles, S. T., Mather, M., & Carstensen, L. L. (2003) · Journal of Experimental Psychology: General · doi:10.1037/0096-3445.132.2.310 · Cited by 1,132 · see citing works
Age-related differences and change in positive and negative affect over 23 years.
Charles, S. T., Reynolds, C. A., & Gatz, M. (2001) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.80.1.136 · Cited by 1,049 · see citing works
How healthy are we?: a national study of well-being at midlife
Brim, O. G., Ryff, C. D., & Kessler, R. C. (2004) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.41-6842 · Cited by 1,028 · see citing works
At the Intersection of Emotion and Cognition: Aging and the Positivity Effect
Carstensen, L. L., & Mikels, J. A. (2005) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00348.x · Cited by 1,007 · see citing works
Aging and attentional biases for emotional faces
Mather, M., & Carstensen, L. L. (2003) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-9280.01455 · Cited by 808 · see citing works
A snapshot of the age distribution of psychological well-being in the United States
Stone, A. A., Schwartz, J. E., Broderick, J. E., & Deaton, A. (2010) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1003744107 · Cited by 803 · see citing works
Regulation of Positive Emotions: Emotion Regulation Strategies that Promote Resilience
Tugade, M. M., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2007) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-006-9015-4 · Cited by 791 · cited 1× · see citing works
“While additional research on this question is clearly needed, theory and findings suggest that there are individual differences in positive emotion regulation (Tugade & Fredrickson, 2007).”
Positive affect and health-related neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, and inflammatory processes
Steptoe, A., Wardle, J., & Marmot, M. (2005) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0409174102 · Cited by 763 · see citing works
Stress and infectious disease in humans.
Cohen, S., & Williamson, G. M. (1991) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.109.1.5 · Cited by 756 · see citing works
Emotion Regulation in Older Age
Urry, H. L., & Gross, J. J. (2010) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721410388395 · Cited by 724 · see citing works
Savoring Beliefs Inventory (SBI): A scale for measuring beliefs about savouring
Bryant, F. (2003) · Journal of Mental Health · doi:10.1080/0963823031000103489 · Cited by 697 · see citing works
Emotional Aging: Recent Findings and Future Trends
Scheibe, S., & Carstensen, L. L. (2010) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp132 · Cited by 688 · see citing works
Implicit theories of emotion: Affective and social outcomes across a major life transition.
Tamir, M., John, O. P., Srivastava, S., & Gross, J. J. (2007) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.92.4.731 · Cited by 652 · see citing works
Is age-related stability of subjective well-being a paradox? Cross-sectional and longitudinal evidence from the Berlin Aging Study.
Kunzmann, U., Little, T. D., & Smith, J. (2000) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.15.3.511 · Cited by 642 · see citing works
Positive Affect as a Source of Resilience for Women in Chronic Pain.
Zautra, A. J., Johnson, L. M., & Davis, M. C. (2005) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.73.2.212 · Cited by 567 · see citing works
The Role of Motivation in the Age-Related Positivity Effect in Autobiographical Memory
Kennedy, Q., Mather, M., & Carstensen, L. L. (2004) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.0956-7976.2004.01503011.x · Cited by 556 · see citing works
Nice to know you: Positive emotions, self–other overlap, and complex understanding in the formation of a new relationship
Waugh, C. E., & Fredrickson, B. L. (2006) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760500510569 · Cited by 541 · see citing works
Positive Affect and Psychobiological Processes Relevant to Health
Steptoe, A., Dockray, S., & Wardle, J. (2009) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00599.x · Cited by 520 · see citing works
Health Psychology: Why Do Some People Get Sick and Some Stay Well?
Adler, N. E., & Matthews, K. A. (1994) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev.ps.45.020194.001305 · Cited by 489 · see citing works
Positive affect, psychological well-being, and good sleep
Steptoe, A., O’Donnell, K., Marmot, M. G., & Wardle, J. (2008) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.11.008 · Cited by 483 · see citing works
Evidence‐Based Recommendations for the Assessment and Management of Sleep Disorders in Older Persons
Bloom, H. G., Ahmed, I., Alessi, C. A., Ancoli‐Israel, S., Buysse, D. J., Kryger, M. H., Phillips, B. A., Thorpy, M. J., Vitiello, M. V., & Zee, P. C. (2009) · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02220.x · Cited by 464 · see citing works
Selective preference in visual fixation away from negative images in old age? An eye-tracking study.
Isaacowitz, D. M., Wadlinger, H. A., Goren, D., & Wilson, H. R. (2006) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.21.1.40 · Cited by 431 · see citing works
Dynamic Integration: Affect, Cognition, and the Self in Adulthood
Labouvie-Vief, G. (2003) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1046/j.0963-7214.2003.01262.x · Cited by 420 · see citing works
Fixing our focus: Training attention to regulate emotion
Wadlinger, H. A., & Isaacowitz, D. M. (2011) · Personality and Social Psychology Review · doi:10.1177/1088868310365565 · Cited by 396 · see citing works
Effects of aging on experimentally instructed detached reappraisal, positive reappraisal, and emotional behavior suppression.
Shiota, M. N., & LEVENSON, R. W. (2009) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0017896 · Cited by 383 · see citing works
Aging, emotion, and health-related decision strategies: Motivational manipulations can reduce age differences.
Löckenhoff, C. E., & Carstensen, L. L. (2007) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.22.1.134 · Cited by 346 · see citing works
Aging and goal-directed emotional attention: Distraction reverses emotional biases.
Knight, M., Seymour, T. L., Gaunt, J. T., Baker, C., Nesmith, K., & Mather, M. (2007) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/1528-3542.7.4.705 · Cited by 344 · see citing works
A four-factor model of perceived control: avoiding, coping, obtaining, and savoring
Bryant, F. B. (1989) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1989.tb00494.x · Cited by 333 · cited 1× · see citing works
“For example, evidence from a number of investigations supports the conclusion that savoring, a regulatory strategy aimed at maintaining and enhancing positive emotion (Bryant, 1989), can have salutary effects on health and well-being (Bryant, 2003; Wood, Heimpel, & Michela, 2003).”
Savoring Versus Dampening: Self-Esteem Differences in Regulating Positive Affect.
Wood, J. V., Heimpel, S. A., & Michela, J. L. (2003) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.85.3.566 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Personality Change Influences Mortality in Older Men
Mroczek, D. K., & Spiro, A. (2007) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01907.x · Cited by 320 · see citing works
Self-citation
Examinations of chronic pain and affect relationships: Applications of a dynamic model of affect.
Zautra, A., Smith, B. W., Affleck, G. G., & Tennen, H. A. (2001) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.69.5.786 · Cited by 311 · see citing works
Resilience Comes of Age: Defining Features in Later Adulthood
Ong, A. D., Bergeman, C. S., & Boker, S. M. (2009) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00600.x · Cited by 308 · see citing works
Self-citation
Positive Emotional Style Predicts Resistance to Illness After Experimental Exposure to Rhinovirus or Influenza A Virus
Cohen, S., Alper, C. M., Doyle, W. J., Treanor, J. J., & Turner, R. B. (2006) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/01.psy.0000245867.92364.3c · Cited by 308 · see citing works
Is there an age-related positivity effect in visual attention? A comparison of two methodologies.
Isaacowitz, D. M., Wadlinger, H. A., Goren, D., & Wilson, H. R. (2006) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/1528-3542.6.3.511 · Cited by 304 · see citing works
Divergent trajectories in the aging mind: Changes in working memory for affective versus visual information with age.
Mikels, J. A., Samanez-Larkin, G. R., Reuter‐Lorenz, P. A., & Carstensen, L. L. (2005) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.20.4.542 · Cited by 301 · see citing works
Cardiovascular Reactivity in the Laboratory and the Role of Behavioral Factors in Hypertension: A Critical Review
Pickering, T. G., & Gerin, W. (1990) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1207/s15324796abm1201_1 · Cited by 278 · see citing works
Looking While Unhappy
Isaacowitz, D. M., Toner, K., Goren, D., & Wilson, H. R. (2008) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02167.x · Cited by 270 · see citing works
Late-life decline in well-being across adulthood in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States: Something is seriously wrong at the end of life.
Gerstorf, D., Ram, N., Mayraz, G., Hidajat, M. M., Lindenberger, U., Wagner, G. G., & Schupp, J. (2010) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0017543 · Cited by 263 · see citing works
Some ways in which positive affect influences decision making and problem solving.
Isen, A. M. (2008) · Cited by 256 · see citing works
Neuroendocrine and Inflammatory Factors Associated with Positive Affect in Healthy Men and Women: The Whitehall II Study
Steptoe, A., O’Donnell, K., Badrick, E., Meena Kumari, B., & Marmot, M. G. (2007) · American Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/aje/kwm252 · Cited by 249 · see citing works
Longitudinal Analyses of Psychological Well-being in a National Sample: Stability of Mean Levels
Costa, P. T., Zonderman, A. B., McCrae, R. R., Cornoni‐Huntley, J. C., Locke, B. Z., & Barbano, H. E. (1987) · Journal of Gerontology · doi:10.1093/geronj/42.1.50 · Cited by 236 · see citing works
Now you see it, now you don’t: Age differences in affective reactivity to social tensions.
Charles, S. T., Piazza, J. R., Luong, G., & Almeida, D. M. (2009) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0016673 · Cited by 226 · see citing works
Emotion in the Second Half of Life
Carstensen, L. L., & Charles, S. T. (1998) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-8721.ep10836825 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Affect optimization and affect complexity: Modes and styles of regulation in adulthood.
Labouvie‐Vief, G., & Medler, M. (2002) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037//0882-7974.17.4.571 · Cited by 206 · see citing works
Onset of Frailty in Older Adults and the Protective Role of Positive Affect.
Ostir, G. V., Ottenbacher, K. J., & Markides, K. S. (2004) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.19.3.402 · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Psychosocial Predictors of Survival in End-Stage Renal Disease
Devins, G. M., MANN, J., Mandin, H., Paul, L. C., Hons, R. B., Burgess, E. D., Taub, K. J., SCHORR, S., LETOURNEAU, P. K., & Buckle, S. (1990) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/00005053-199002000-00008 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Age and emotional experience during mutual reminiscing.
Pasupathi, M., & Carstensen, L. L. (2003) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.18.3.430 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
Affect optimization and affect complexity: Modes and styles of regulation in adulthood.
Labouvie‐Vief, G., & Medler, M. (2002) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.17.4.571 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Age and Emotion in Adulthood
Mroczek, D. K. (2001) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-8721.00122 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Self-citation
Stress and the aging immune system
Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2003) · Brain Behavior and Immunity · doi:10.1016/j.bbi.2003.09.005 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Are Older Adults Less or More Physiologically Reactive? A Meta-Analysis of Age-Related Differences in Cardiovascular Reactivity to Laboratory Tasks
Uchino, B. N., Birmingham, W. C., & Berg, C. A. (2010) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp127 · Cited by 146 · see citing works
Do health behaviors explain the effect of neuroticism on mortality? Longitudinal findings from the VA Normative Aging Study
Mroczek, D. K., Spiro, A., & Turiano, N. A. (2009) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2009.03.016 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Self-citation
Use of gaze for real-time mood regulation: Effects of age and attentional functioning.
Isaacowitz, D. M., Toner, K., & Neupert, S. D. (2009) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0017706 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Age Differences in Perceived Positive Affect, Negative Affect, and Affect Balance in Middle and Old Age
Pinquart, M. (2001) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1023/a:1013938001116 · Cited by 142 · see citing works
Cardiovascular Intraindividual Variability in Later Life: The Influence of Social Connectedness and Positive Emotions.
Ong, A. D., & Allaire, J. C. (2005) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.20.3.476 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Self-citation
The Role of Daily Positive Emotions During Conjugal Bereavement
Ong, A. D., Bergeman, C. S., & Bisconti, T. L. (2004) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/59.4.p168 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Self-citation
Performance in Auditory and Visual Emotional Stroop Tasks: A Comparison of Older and Younger Adults.
Wurm, L. H., Labouvie‐Vief, G., Aycock, J., Rebucal, K. A., & Koch, H. E. (2004) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.19.3.523 · Cited by 135 · see citing works
Positive affect is associated with cardiovascular reactivity, norepinephrine level, and morning rise in salivary cortisol
Brummett, B. H., Boyle, S. H., Kuhn, C. M., Siegler, I. C., & Williams, R. B. (2009) · Psychophysiology · doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2009.00829.x · Cited by 134 · see citing works
Memories of social interactions: Age differences in emotional intensity.
Charles, S. T., & Piazza, J. R. (2007) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.22.2.300 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Pathways Linking Positive Emotion and Health in Later Life
Ong, A. D. (2010) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721410388805 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Self-citation
Six-year change in affect optimization and affect complexity across the adult life span: A further examination.
Labouvie‐Vief, G., Diehl, M. K., Jain, E., & Zhang, F. (2007) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/0882-7974.22.4.738 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Positive Affect and Immune Function
Marsland, A. L., Pressman, S. D., & Cohen, S. (2007) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-012088576-3/50042-3 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Psychosocial predictors of outcome: time to relapse and survival in patients with early stage melanoma
Brown, J. E., Butow, P. N., Culjak, G., Coates, A. S., & Dunn, S. M. (2000) · British Journal of Cancer · doi:10.1054/bjoc.2000.1471 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Prospective predictors of positive emotions following spousal loss.
Ong, A. D., Fuller‐Rowell, T. E., & Bonanno, G. A. (2010) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/a0018870 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Self-citation
Stress and Immunity: Age Enhances the Risks
Kiecolt‐Glaser, J. K., & Glaser, R. (2001) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-8721.00105 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
Variability in affective change among aging men: Longitudinal findings from the VA Normative Aging Study
Griffin, P. W., Mroczek, D. K., & Spiro, A. (2005) · Journal of Research in Personality · doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2005.09.011 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
Self-citation
Affective Review and Schema Reliance in Memory in Older and Younger Adults
Mather, M., & Johnson, M. K. (2003) · The American Journal of Psychology · doi:10.2307/1423576 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
Spousal loss predicts alterations in diurnal cortisol activity through prospective changes in positive emotion.
Ong, A. D., Fuller‐Rowell, T. E., Bonanno, G. A., & Almeida, D. M. (2011) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0022262 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Self-citation
Positive and Negative Affect at Midlife.
Mroczek, D. K. (2004) · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Self-citation

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 3

Carstensen LL Mikels JA Mather M Aging and the intersection of cognition, motivation and emotion Handbook of the psychology of aging 2006 Sixth ed. San Diego Academic Press
Kok BE Catalino LI Fredrickson BL Lopez SJ The broadening, building, buffering effects of positive emotions Positive psychology: Exploring the best of people: Capitalizing on emotional experiences 2008 Vol. 3 Westport, CT Greenwood Publishing Company 1 19
Waugh CE Fredrickson BL Nice to know you: Positive emotions, self-other overlap, and complext understanding in the formation of a new relationship The Journal of Positive Psychology 2006 1 93 106 21691460 PMC3117671

Sorted by citations

Resilience in mental health: linking psychological and neurobiological perspectives.
Rutten, B. P. F., Hammels, C., Geschwind, N., Menne‐Lothmann, C., Pishva, E., Schruers, K., van den Hove, D., Kenis, G., van Os, J., & Wichers, M. (2013) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/acps.12095 · Cited by 418 · see citing works
Promoting Psychological Well-Being Through an Evidence-Based Mindfulness Training Program
Tang, Y.-Y., Tang, R., & Gross, J. J. (2019) · Frontiers in Human Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnhum.2019.00237 · Cited by 191 · see citing works
Emotional Reactivity and Mortality: Longitudinal Findings From the VA Normative Aging Study
Mroczek, D. K., Stawski, R. S., Turiano, N. A., Chan, W., Almeida, D. M., Neupert, S. D., & Spiro, A. (2013) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbt107 · Cited by 187 · see citing works
Self-citation
Examining the pathways between gratitude and self-rated physical health across adulthood
Hill, P. L., Allemand, M., & Roberts, B. W. (2012) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.08.011 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
Emotional Well-Being and Public Health: Proposal for a Model National Initiative
Feller, S. C., Castillo, E. G., Greenberg, J. M., Abascal, P., Horn, R. V., & Wells, K. B. (2018) · Public Health Reports · doi:10.1177/0033354918754540 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
The required knowledge for lifespan mental health promotion and prevention for Master’s level mental health nurse education – the eMenthe project
Lahti, M., Ellilä, H., Jormfeldt, H., Skärsäter, I., Doyle, L., Higgins, A., Keogh, B., Meade, O., Stickley, T., Sitvast, J. E., et al. (2018) · International Journal of Health Promotion and Education · doi:10.1080/14635240.2018.1431953 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Subjective wellbeing and longevity: Findings from a 22-year cohort study
Gana, K., Broc, G., Saada, Y., Amieva, H., & Quintard, B. (2016) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.04.004 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
The relationship between trait emotional intelligence, resiliency, and mental health in older adults: the mediating role of savouring
Wilson, C. A., & Saklofske, D. H. (2017) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2017.1292207 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Positivity ratio of flourishing individuals: Examining the moderation effects of methodological variations and chronological age
Shrira, A., Bodner, E., & Palgi, Y. (2015) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2015.1037857 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
The pursuit of health: A vitality based perspective
Rozanski, A. (2023) · Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases · doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2023.04.001 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Relationship between flow experience and subjective vitality among older adults attending senior centres
Chang, L. (2020) · Leisure Studies · doi:10.1080/02614367.2020.1763441 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Beliefs about savoring in older adulthood: Aging and perceived health affect temporal components of perceived savoring ability
Geiger, P. J., Morey, J. N., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2016) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2016.09.049 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Positive affect and peripheral inflammatory markers among adults: A narrative review
Jones, D. R., & Graham‐Engeland, J. E. (2020) · Psychoneuroendocrinology · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104892 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Hedonic and eudaimonic well-being in old age through positive psychology studies: a scoping review
Araújo, L., Ribeiro, Ó., & Paúl, C. (2017) · Anales de Psicología · doi:10.6018/analesps.33.3.265621 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Positive affect, social connectedness, and healthy biomarkers in Japan and the U.S.
Yoo, J., Miyamoto, Y., & Ryff, C. D. (2016) · Emotion · doi:10.1037/emo0000200 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Thermal Comfort Influences Positive Emotions but Not Negative Emotions When Visiting Green Spaces during Summer
Niu, J., Xiong, J., Qin, H., Wu, H., Zhang, K., Yan, J., Ye, L., & Han, G. (2023) · Forests · doi:10.3390/f14081512 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Are Psycho-Behavioral Factors Accounting for Longevity?
Ballesteros, R. F., & Sánchez‐Izquierdo, M. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02516 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
From Adolescence to Old Age: Developmental Perspectives on the Extended Process Model of Emotion Regulation
Riediger, M., & Luong, G. (2015) · Psychological Inquiry · doi:10.1080/1047840x.2015.962443 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
The ethics of positive thinking in healthcare
Andrade, G. E. (2019) · Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine · doi:10.18502/jmehm.v12i18.2148 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
As long as you've got your health: Longitudinal relationships between positive affect and functional health in old age
Gana, K., Saada, Y., Broc, G., Quintard, B., Amieva, H., & Dartigues, J. (2015) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.11.038 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
One size fits all? Applying theoretical predictions about age and emotional experience to people with functional disabilities.
Piazza, J. R., Charles, S. T., Luong, G., & Almeida, D. M. (2015) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/pag0000045 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Psychological transition and adjustment processes related to retirement: influence on cognitive functioning
Grotz, C., Matharan, F., Amieva, H., Pérès, K., Laberon, S., Vonthron, A.-M., Dartigues, J., Adam, S., & Letenneur, L. (2016) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2016.1220920 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Perceived emotional intelligence and life satisfaction: the mediating role of the positivity ratio
Moroń, M. (2018) · Current Issues in Personality Psychology · doi:10.5114/cipp.2018.75650 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Emotional Wellbeing in Adolescents Living With Chronic Conditions: A Metasynthesis of the Qualitative Literature
Courtwright, S. E., Pard, A. L., & Jones, J. (2022) · Journal of Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.12.020 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
The effects of daily co-occurrence of affect on older adults’ reactivity to health stressors
Ramsey, J. L., Neupert, S. D., Mroczek, D. K., & Spiro, A. (2015) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2015.1111368 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self-citation
The Effect of Music Listening Versus Written Reframing on Mood Management
Sleigh, M. J., & McElroy, J. (2012) · Music Perception An Interdisciplinary Journal · doi:10.1525/mp.2014.31.4.303 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
What Do Adults Think About Their Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Does It Matter?
LaNoue, M. D., Cunningham, A., Kenny, L. C., Abatemarco, D. J., & Helitzer, D. (2020) · Community Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10597-020-00580-0 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Association of Positive Affect with Cognitive Health and Decline for Elder Mexican Americans
Castro‐Schilo, L., Fredrickson, B. L., & Mungas, D. (2018) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-018-0053-5 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The Paradox in Positive and Negative Aspects of Emotional Functioning Among Older Adults with Early Stages of Cognitive Impairment
Zhang, M., Ho, E., Nowinski, C. J., Fox, R. S., Aytürk, E., Karpouzian‐Rogers, T., Novack, M. A., Dodge, H. H., Weıntraub, S., & Gershon, R. C. (2023) · Journal of Aging and Health · doi:10.1177/08982643231199806 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Associations between positively valenced affect and health behaviors vary by arousal
Jones, D. R., Smyth, J. M., & Graham‐Engeland, J. E. (2021) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12299 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Associations of Wellbeing Levels, Changes, and Within-Person Variability With Late-Life All-Cause Mortality Across 12 Years: Contrasting Hedonic vs. Eudaimonic Wellbeing Among Very Old Adults
Schilling, O. K., Wettstein, M., & Wahl, H. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.750891 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Depression, performance status, and discontinued treatment mediate an association of curability belief with prognosis in advanced cancer patients
Yun, J., Jung, J. Y., Keam, B., Lee, N., Kang, J. H., Kim, Y. J., Shim, H.-J., Jung, K. H., Koh, S., Ryu, H., et al. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-80687-6 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Positive Affect as Source of Resilience in Adulthood and Later Life
Ong, A. D., Bergeman, C. S., & Reid, M. C. (2020) · Risk, systems and decisions · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-57089-7_7 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citation
The Protective Role of Neurogenetic Components in Reducing Stress-Related Effects during Spaceflights: Evidence from the Age-Related Positive Memory Approach
Mammarella, N., Gatti, M., Ceccato, I., Crosta, A. D., Domenico, A. D., & Palumbo, R. (2022) · Life · doi:10.3390/life12081176 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Dan v življenju starejših odraslih: kaj jih osrečuje?
Kavčič, T., & Avsec, A. (2018) · Psihološka obzorja · doi:10.20419/2018.27.485 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
A Casual Video Game With Psychological Well-being Concepts for Young Adolescents: Protocol for an Acceptability and Feasibility Study
Pine, R., Mbinta, J. F., Morenga, L. T., & Fleming, T. M. (2021) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/31588 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Optimismo, resiliencia, sentido del humor y la salud de personas con pareja
Rodríguez, Y. N. F., & Aragón, R. S. (2019) · Pensando Psicología · doi:10.16925/2382-3984.2019.02.03 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Positive Affectivity
Fortenberry, K. T., Jansen, K. L., & Clark, M. S. (2017) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_977-2 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Automatic Information Processing Bias to Stress Factors by Older Adults with and without Diabetes
Hernández-Cortés, P. L., Octavio, L.-R. E., Martínez, G. E. M., & Salazar-González, B. C. (2014) · Advances in Aging Research · doi:10.4236/aar.2014.33032 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Incorporating Positive Psychology into the Post-Secondary Classroom
Myatt, B., & Kennette, L. N. (2023) · Journal of Effective Teaching in Higher Education · doi:10.36021/jethe.v6i2.378 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Cognition and Well-Being across Adulthood and Old Age
Drewelies, J., & Gerstorf, D. (2020) · Cambridge University Press eBooks · doi:10.1017/9781108552684.033 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Tears of joy among post-college-age Japanese adults: implications for resilience
Hoffman, E., Tran, A., Sasaki, H., & Igarashi, Y. (2019) · Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy · doi:10.1080/21507686.2019.1636836 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Effects of Sensory Environment and Playfulness on Cognitive Health Among Older Adults in Singapore Public Housing: Findings from Path Analysis
Trivic, Z., Chin, Y. J., Ng, T. K. S., Kumar, A. P., Lee, C. E. H., Slowey, P. D., Dillon, P., Perry, T. E., & Gan, D. R. Y. (2024) · Journal of Aging and Environment · doi:10.1080/26892618.2024.2368540 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Positive Aging
Ferguson, S. J. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_101976 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Loneliness and quality of life among older adults: the mediating role of resilience
Kushta, R., & ALBERO, A. R. M. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1677095 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Positive Emotions and Health in Adulthood and Later Life
Verhaeghen, P., Hertzog, C. K., Riffin, C. A., Ong, A. D., & Bergeman, C. S. (2014) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199899463.013.005 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
Psychological Flourishing of Married Individuals: Role of Communal Orientation, Emotional Expressivity, and Emotional Regulation
Fahd, S. (2020) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Developing, Co-Designing and Testing a New Approach in Digital Mental Health for Young Adolescents: Match Emoji, a Casual Video Game Adapted for Mental Health and Well-Being
Pine, R. (2022) · doi:10.26686/wgtn.20104103 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Age Differences in Emotion Regulation Strategy Use in Daily Life: Implications for Emotional Well-BeingPreprint
Whitmoyer, P., Prakash, R. S., Isaacowitz, D. M., Emery, C. F., & Beauchaine, T. (2022) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/z2swh · Cited by 1 · see citing works
The Association Between Emotional Expressivity in Early Adulthood and Healthy Aging in Late Adulthood
Franklin, D. (2018) · UWSpace (University of Waterloo)
Positive Affectivity
Fortenberry, K. T., Jansen, K. L., & Clark, M. S. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-39903-0_977
Positive Aging
Ferguson, S. J. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_101976-1
An Analog Game-Based Intervention and a Playability Analysis in the Elderly - A Pilot Study
Pincegher, D., Rosa, M., Silva, E., & Frontini, R. (2023) · International Journal of Games and Social Impact · doi:10.24140/ijgsi.v1.n2.02
Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Korean version of the Types of Positive Affect Scale (TPAS): Application of the item response modelPreprint
Choi, Y. Y., Chun, H.-R., Cho, I., Park, S., Cho, E.-Y., Park, S., & Cho, S. (2023) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3718787/v1
The relationship between burnout and mental well-being of older people
Remeikienė, R., Jančaitytė-Rusnė, K., & Rūškienė, B. (2025) · International May Conference on Strategic Management (IMCSM) · doi:10.5937/imcsm25047r
What Can Older Adults Tell Us About Emotional Wisdom? Experiencing Emotion and Mental Health in Old Age
von Humboldt, S. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-86449-0_6
Affect Ratios, Coping, and Burden in Adult Children of Parents with Memory Loss
Gad, D. S., Wells, J. L., Wood, K., & Monin, J. K. (2026) · GeroPsych · doi:10.1024/1662-9647/a000360

Pathways Linking Positive Emotion and Health in Later Life
Ong, A. D. (2010) · Current Directions in Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0963721410388805 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Self-citation
Emotional Aging: Recent Findings and Future Trends
Scheibe, S., & Carstensen, L. L. (2010) · The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences · doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp132 · Cited by 688 · see citing works
Positive emotions across the adult life span.
Mikels, J. A., Reed, A. E., Hardy, L. N., & Löckenhoff, C. E. (2014) · Cited by 13 · see citing works
A tale of two emotions: The diverging salience and health consequences of calmness and excitement in old age.
Hamm, J. M., Wrosch, C., Barlow, M. A., & Kunzmann, U. (2021) · Psychology and Aging · doi:10.1037/pag0000512 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Linking Process and Outcome in the Study of Emotion and Aging
Isaacowitz, D. M., & Blanchard–Fields, F. (2012) · Perspectives on Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/1745691611424750 · Cited by 180 · see citing works

Authors: Ong, A. D., Mroczek, D. K., & Riffin, C.
Affiliations: Cornell University (US)
Purdue University West Lafayette (US)
ORCID: Ong, Anthony D.
Mroczek, Daniel K.
Riffin, Catherine
Venue: Social and Personality Psychology Compass
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2011-08
Volume: 5
Issue: 8
Pages: 538-551
ISSN: 1751-9004 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2011.00370.x
PMC: PMC3173764
OpenAlex: W1957345764
Cited by: 57
References: 89
Citations by year: 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
FWCI: 2.48
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Social and Personality Psychology Compass (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders: National Institute on Aging (R01AG023571, R01AG018436, R21AG026365)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
Keywords: positive emotions, older adults, aging, health outcomes, morbidity, mortality, cognitive decline, motivation, biological processes, adaptive significance

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

The Health Significance of Positive Emotions in Adulthood and Later Life

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Self-check

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks