How Do People Stay Healthy?

Which psychological variables have a positive impact on health during middle age?  A research study published in a recent issue of GeroPsych: The Journal of Gerontopsychology and Geriatric Psychiatry examined data collected from 393 middle-aged participants (aged 35–45 at T1 and 45–55 at T2) as part of the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) to investigate the associations between health, optimism, positive affect, social support, and a cumulative burden score. Results show a positive association of the protective factors and a predictive value of positive emotions on health over time. The burden score showed no unique association with health. Overall, the predictors explained 17% of the variance of physical health and 33% of the variance of mental health. These findings emphasize the importance of investigating protective pathways.

For the abstract.