Sense of Purpose in Life and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health: An Outcome-Wide Approach

Growing evidence indicates that a higher sense of in life ( ) is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases and mortality. However, epidemiological studies have not evaluated if change in is associated with subsequent health and well-being outcomes. We evaluated if positive change in (between...

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Published in:American journal of health promotion Vol. 36; no. 1; p. 137
Main Authors: Kim, Eric S, Chen, Ying, Nakamura, Julia S, Ryff, Carol D, VanderWeele, Tyler J
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.01.2022
Subjects:
Aged
Chronic Disease
Cohort Studies
Health Behavior
Humans
Loneliness
Prospective Studies
epidemiology
well-being
psychological well-being
sense of purpose
purpose in life
ISSN:2168-6602, 2168-6602
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Growing evidence indicates that a higher sense of in life ( ) is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases and mortality. However, epidemiological studies have not evaluated if change in is associated with subsequent health and well-being outcomes. We evaluated if positive change in (between t ; 2006/2008 and t ;2010/2012) was associated with better outcomes on 35 indicators of physical health, health behaviors, and psychosocial well-being (at t ;2014/2016). We used data from 12,998 participants in the Health and Retirement study-a prospective and nationally representative cohort of U.S. adults aged >50. We conducted multiple linear-, logistic-, and generalized linear regressions. Over the 4-year follow-up period, people with the highest (versus lowest) purpose had better subsequent physical health outcomes (e.g., 46% reduced risk of mortality (95% CI [0.44, 0.66])), health behaviors (e.g., 13% reduced risk of sleep problems (95% CI [0.77, 0.99])), and psychosocial outcomes (e.g., higher optimism (β = 0.41, 95% CI [0.35, 0.47]), 43% reduced risk of depression (95% CI [0.46, 0.69]), lower loneliness (β = -0.35, 95% CI [-0.41, -0.29])). Importantly, however, purpose was not associated with other physical health outcomes, health behaviors, and social factors. With further research, these results suggest that sense of purpose might be a valuable target for innovative policy and intervention work aimed at improving health and well-being.
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ISSN:2168-6602
2168-6602
DOI:10.1177/08901171211038545