Dispositional optimism and health behaviour in community‐dwelling older people: Associations with healthy ageing
Abstract
Objective Dispositional optimism measured with the Life Orientation Test has been associated with a variety of health outcomes. We assessed whether optimism was related to indices of healthy ageing, and if effects were mediated through health behaviours. Method A community sample of 128 men and women aged 65 to 80 years was recruited from general practice lists. Optimism and health behaviours were assessed by questionnaire, and healthy ageing indexed by physical health summary scores from the Short Form 36, and by self‐rated health. Results Optimism was associated with not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, brisk walking, and vigorous physical activities (women only), independently of socio‐demographic factors and clinical condition. Physical health status was associated with optimism, independently of socio‐demographic factors, clinical condition, negative affectivity, and body mass. This effect was attenuated when health behaviours were taken into account. Self‐rated health was also positively related to optimism, and this association was not mediated by health behaviours. Neither the optimism nor pessimism subscales of the Life Orientation Test showed as consistent effects as the full scale. Conclusions We conclude that dispositional optimism is associated with healthy ageing. The relationship between optimism and healthy ageing was only partly mediated by the health behaviours assessed in this sample.
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The established benefits of PP on mood, resilience, well-being, and optimism are associated with increased physical activity.
“Regarding direct effects of PP on activity, the established benefits of PP on mood, resilience, well-being, and optimism (pathway B1) [41, 54, 124, 125] are associated with increased physical activity (pathway B2) [48, 88, 123, 131, 132].”
From Positive Psychological Interventions for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Rationale, Theoretical Model, and Intervention Development (2015) · cites this paper as [132]
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- Authors
- Steptoe, A., Wright, C., Kunz‐Ebrecht, S. R., & Iliffe, S.
- Affiliations
- University College London (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Steptoe, Andrew*
- Venue
- British Journal of Health Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2006-02
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 71-84
- ISSN
- 1359-107X (ISSN-L)
- 2044-8287
- OpenAlex
- W2062595366
- Cited by
- 211
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 5.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- British Journal of Health Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Wellbeing Research
- Keywords
- dispositional optimism, healthy aging, health behavior, older adults, Life Orientation Test, physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, self-rated health, physical health, mediation, pessimism
- MeSH terms
- Affect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Body Height, Body Weight, Chronic Disease, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Motor Activity, Surveys and Questionnaires, Residence Characteristics, Smoking, Health Behavior
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