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Socioeconomic, Behavioural, and Social Health Correlates of Optimism and Pessimism in Older Men and Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Heather Craig

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Danijela Gasevic

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
    Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG, UK)

  • Joanne Ryan

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Alice Owen

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • John McNeil

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Robyn Woods

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Carlene Britt

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

  • Stephanie Ward

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
    Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
    Department of Geriatric Medicine, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia)

  • Rosanne Freak-Poli

    (School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
    School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia)

Abstract

Background: Optimism is a disposition characterised by positive future expectancies, while pessimism is characterised by expecting the worst. High optimism and low pessimism promote the health of older adults and may potentiate full engagement in life. We identified socioeconomic, behavioural, and social factors associated with optimism and pessimism in older adults. Methods: Participants included 10,146 community-dwelling, apparently healthy Australian adults aged 70 years and over from the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons (ALSOP). Optimism and pessimism were measured using the revised Life Orientation Test. Cross-sectional ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the socioeconomic, behavioural, and social health factors associated with optimism and pessimism. Results: Higher education, greater physical activity, lower loneliness, and volunteering were associated with higher optimism and lower pessimism. Low social support was associated with higher pessimism. Higher socioeconomic advantage, greater income, and living alone were associated with lower pessimism. Women were more optimistic and less pessimistic than men. The association of age, smoking status, and alcohol consumption with optimism and pessimism differed for men and women. Conclusions: Factors associated with higher optimism and lower pessimism were also those demonstrated to support healthy ageing. Health-promotion action at the individual level (e.g., smoking cessation or regular physical activity), health professional level (e.g., social prescribing or improving access and quality of care for all older adults), and community level (e.g., opportunities for volunteer work or low-cost social activities for older adults) may improve optimism and reduce pessimism, possibly also promoting healthy ageing.

Suggested Citation

  • Heather Craig & Danijela Gasevic & Joanne Ryan & Alice Owen & John McNeil & Robyn Woods & Carlene Britt & Stephanie Ward & Rosanne Freak-Poli, 2023. "Socioeconomic, Behavioural, and Social Health Correlates of Optimism and Pessimism in Older Men and Women: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3259-:d:1066608
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ratna Patel & Strong P Marbaniang & Shobhit Srivastava & Pradeep Kumar & Shekhar Chauhan & David J Simon, 2021. "Gender differential in low psychological health and low subjective well-being among older adults in India: With special focus on childless older adults," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(3), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Hui-Chuan Hsu & Jersey Liang & Dih-Ling Luh & Chen-Fen Chen & Ying-Wei Wang, 2019. "Social Determinants and Disparities in Active Aging Among Older Taiwanese," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
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