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Association of Positivity with Health Problems in Old Age: Preliminary Findings from Spanish Middle Class Seniors

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  • Mariagiovanna Caprara

    (Open University of Madrid, UDIMA)

  • Laura Giunta

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Gian Vittorio Caprara

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

Abstract

Previous studies have indicated positivity as a basic trait which lies at the very heart of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and dispositional optimism, and predisposes people to view life and experience from a positive point of view. The present research addresses the extent to which age, positivity and its abovementioned expressions may be associated with healthy functioning in old age. Fifty-one men and eighty-one women, all Spanish, predominantly middle-class and educated, in good health and ranging in age from 62 to 80, participated in this research project. The findings reveal the role positivity plays in moderating the negative impact of aging on health problems as assessed by availing of the Nottingham Health Profile. The higher the positivity, the less people seem inclined to report health problems as they advance in age. Self-esteem, life satisfaction, and optimism too show similar effects, but only the association between life satisfaction, health problems and aging were worth considering, once positivity was kept under control.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariagiovanna Caprara & Laura Giunta & Gian Vittorio Caprara, 2017. "Association of Positivity with Health Problems in Old Age: Preliminary Findings from Spanish Middle Class Seniors," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(5), pages 1339-1358, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:18:y:2017:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9772-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9772-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alonso, J. & Anto, J.M. & Moreno, C., 1990. "Spanish version of the Nottingham Health Profile: Translation and preliminary validity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 80(6), pages 704-708.
    2. Karen Siedlecki & Timothy Salthouse & Shigehiro Oishi & Sheena Jeswani, 2014. "The Relationship Between Social Support and Subjective Well-Being Across Age," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 561-576, June.
    3. Robert Cummins & Helen Nistico, 2002. "Maintaining Life Satisfaction: The Role of Positive Cognitive Bias," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 37-69, March.
    4. Ed Diener & Christie Napa-Scollon & Shigehiro Oishi & Vivian Dzokoto & Eunkook Suh, 2000. "Positivity and the Construction of Life Satisfaction Judgments: Global Happiness is not the Sum of its Parts," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 159-176, June.
    5. Marco Lauriola & Luca Iani, 2015. "Does Positivity Mediate the Relation of Extraversion and Neuroticism with Subjective Happiness?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(3), pages 1-16, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eriona Thartori & Concetta Pastorelli & Flavia Cirimele & Chiara Remondi & Maria Gerbino & Emanuele Basili & Ainzara Favini & Carolina Lunetti & Irene Fiasconaro & Gian Vittorio Caprara, 2021. "Exploring the Protective Function of Positivity and Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy in Time of Pandemic COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-19, December.
    2. Claudio Singh Solorzano & Maria Serena Panasiti & Alessandra Di Pucchio & Caterina Grano, 2022. "The Impact of Positivity and Parochial Altruism on Protective Behaviours during the First COVID-19 Lockdown in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-11, August.
    3. Chiara Consiglio & Pietro Menatta & Laura Borgogni & Guido Alessandri & Lucia Valente & Gian Vittorio Caprara, 2021. "How Youth May Find Jobs: The Role of Positivity, Perceived Employability, and Support from Employment Agencies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-17, August.

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