Khaberni - A study conducted by the American Geriatrics Society, which relied on data from the Health and Retirement Study, found that higher levels of optimism are associated with a decreased risk of dementia.
The study included 9,071 individuals with good cognitive health, with an average age of 74 years. The researchers assessed the level of optimism using the Life Orientation Test-Revised during a period lasting two years after the initial cognitive assessment. Cases of dementia were identified using a special algorithm that took into account racial and ethnic differences across eight data collection periods, from 2006 until 2020. Participants were followed for up to 14 years, with an average follow-up of 6.7 years.
The results showed that an increase by one standard deviation in the level of optimism (equivalent to 6 points on the optimism scale) was associated with a 15% reduced risk of developing dementia. The analysis included adjustments for several factors, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, depression, chronic medical conditions, smoking, and physical activity.
Similar results were observed in subgroups, including non-Hispanic white individuals (79% of the sample) and Blacks (12%). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of this relationship, with the results remaining consistent even after excluding participants with severe depression, using alternative diagnostic algorithms for dementia, or excluding cases that emerged within the first two years of follow-up.
The researchers suggest that optimism might be a psychosocial protective factor in the context of healthy aging. While the mechanisms by which optimism influences dementia risk still require further research, previous studies indicate the possibility of improving optimism levels.
