Associations of global and specific components of positive psychological well-being with mortality risk: Findings from two cohort studies.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Prospective cohort studies with long-term follow-up
PubMed 38978336 · doi:10.1111/aphw.12576
What was done
Data were analyzed from two prospective US longitudinal cohorts: the Midlife Development in the United States Study (N = 3,302) and the Health and Retirement Study (N = 7,209). Both cohorts assessed hedonic and eudaimonic facets of positive psychological well-being (positive affect, purpose in life, personal growth, and self-acceptance) and tracked mortality across 14 to 15 years of follow-up. Bifactor modeling was used to derive a global well-being factor alongside specific factors to examine associations with mortality risk.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, hazard ratios, or confidence intervals. Across both cohorts, higher levels of the global well-being factor were associated with reduced mortality risk after adjusting for confounders. Specific well-being factors demonstrated fewer independent associations with mortality.
Why it matters
This paper demonstrates that the common core shared across hedonic and eudaimonic well-being drives associations with longevity rather than specific isolated facets. This provides conceptual clarity on psychological mechanisms affecting survival and informs intervention design.
Limits
The abstract provides no point estimates, confidence intervals, or p-values. As an observational study, residual confounding remains possible, and findings reflect specific middle-aged and older US cohorts.
Cited by
- context Among adults aged 70 and older, having a strong sense of purpose in life is the single most important psychological predictor of longevity.