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Kida H, Niimura H, Eguchi Y, Suzuki K, Shikimoto R, Bun S, Takayama M, Mimura M. Relationship Between Life Satisfaction and Psychological Characteristics Among Community-Dwelling Oldest-old: Focusing on Erikson's Developmental Stages and the Big Five Personality Traits. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024; 32:724-735. [PMID: 38216354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2023.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To clarify the relationship between life satisfaction and the psychological characteristics of the oldest-old, and explore the factors for achieving mental health and longevity. DESIGN This cross-sectional study conducted questionnaire surveys and face-to-face interviews as part of a larger prospective cohort study. SETTING Arakawa Ward, a district in Tokyo, Japan. PARTICIPANTS A total of 247 oldest-old individuals from two age groups, 85+ (aged 85-87 years) and 95+ (aged 95 years or older). MEASUREMENTS Life satisfaction was assessed using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), developmental stages of the elderly (Erikson's 8th and 9th stages, i.e., ego integrity, and gerotranscendence), and the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism) using the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Multiple regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between the SWLS scores and each assessment, controlling for age, sex, education, activities of daily living, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function. RESULTS The SWLS scores of 85+ were positively correlated with scores of ego integrity, extraversion, and conscientiousness. Contrastingly, the SWLS scores of 95+ were positively correlated with gerotranscendence scores. CONCLUSIONS Psychological characteristics associated with the level of life satisfaction among community-dwelling oldest-old individuals were identified, but a causal relationship between these factors and life satisfaction was not established. Ego integrity, extraversion, conscientiousness, and gerotranscendence may be associated with enhanced life satisfaction and mental health in the oldest-old. Further, the factors associated with life satisfaction in the 85+ and 95+ age groups varied, suggesting that life satisfaction among the oldest-old has different foundations in different age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Kida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK, HN, YE, KS, RS, SB, MM), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK), Asaka Hospital, Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan.
| | - Hidehito Niimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK, HN, YE, KS, RS, SB, MM), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan; Faculty of Psychology and Sociology (HN), Taisho University, Toshima, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoko Eguchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK, HN, YE, KS, RS, SB, MM), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouta Suzuki
- Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK, HN, YE, KS, RS, SB, MM), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryo Shikimoto
- Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK, HN, YE, KS, RS, SB, MM), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan; Center for Supercentenarian Medical Research (RS), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shogyoku Bun
- Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK, HN, YE, KS, RS, SB, MM), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Midori Takayama
- Faculty of Science and Technology (MT), Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry (HK, HN, YE, KS, RS, SB, MM), Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan; Center for Preventive Medicine (MM), Keio University, Minato, Tokyo, Japan
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Komatsu H, Niimura H, Yagasaki K. Process of inner change in advanced age: a qualitative study of older adults in their early 90 s. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:945. [PMID: 36482303 PMCID: PMC9733006 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03665-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of nonagenarians is growing globally. The promotion of mental wellbeing is increasingly important. The aim of this study was to explore mental wellbeing and psychological experiences of older adults in their early 90 s who were living at home. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 20 older adults in their early 90 s. A thematic analysis, according to Braun and Clarke, was used to analyze data. RESULTS An inner process of older adults in their early 90 s was revealed; its three themes were the "reality of aging," "seeking emptiness of the mind," and "still moving on." Older adults in this study experienced functional decline, regret, and loneliness. They were tired of life and nearly gave up. Emptying their minds helped them reset their attitudes and find a way to move on. After realizing that negative thinking did not help anything, they focused on what they could do and their daily routines. Perceived social usefulness validated participants' self-worth. However, a few were consistently active without negative perceptions of aging. CONCLUSION Understanding the psychological process and mental wellbeing in later life aids in the development of practical healthcare policies to assist the growing oldest-old population in cope with age-related challenges and improve their mental wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Komatsu
- grid.444320.50000 0004 0371 2046Japanese Red Cross Kyushu International College of Nursing, 1-1 Asty Munakata-City, Fukuoka-Prefecture, 811-4157 Japan
| | - Hidehito Niimura
- grid.443251.50000 0001 0157 5998Faculty of Human Science, Toyo Eiwa University, 32 Miho-cho, Midori-Ku, Yokohama, 226-0015 Japan ,grid.26091.3c0000 0004 1936 9959Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, 160-8582 Japan
| | - Kaori Yagasaki
- grid.26091.3c0000 0004 1936 9959Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo, 160-8582 Japan
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Shikimoto R, Noda Y, Kida H, Nakajima S, Tsugawa S, Mimura Y, Ochi R, Takayama M, Niimura H, Mimura M. Association between resilience and cortical thickness in the posterior cingulate cortex and the temporal pole in Japanese older people: A population-based cross-sectional study. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 142:89-100. [PMID: 34330025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resilience is a crucial factor preventing the onset of mental illness and contributing to the well-being and healthy longevity, whose neural bases are not fully elucidated in older people. The present study aimed to identify the cortical thickness associating with resilience in older adults. METHODS This is a part of the cross-sectional Arakawa geriatric cohort study for people aged 65 years or older, consisting of 1001 individuals. A Self-Reported Resilience Scale (RS), neuropsychological batteries, face-to-face interviews for diagnosis, and a three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were conducted. Cortical thickness was computed by the FreeSurfer. The relationships among cortical thickness, total RS score, and clinico-demographic data were investigated using univariate and multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS The total RS score was correlated with age, education, and scores of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in univariate analyses. The total RS score was associated with cortical thicknesses in the left posterior cingulate (β [95 % CI of B] = 0.07 [0.16-14.84]) and the left temporal pole (β [95 % CI of B] = 0.08 [0.63-9.93]) after adjusting sex, age, imaging acquisition site, education, MMSE and GDS scores, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, Barthel index, BMI, and living situation in multivariable regression analyses. CONCLUSION The present analyses suggest that the resilience capacity may be related to the cortical thickness in the posterior cingulate and temporal cortices in older adults. Our findings warrant further longitudinal studies to confirm the causal relationship between stress events, resilience, and brain structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Shikimoto
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Sakuragaoka Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshihiro Noda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hisashi Kida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Sakiko Tsugawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yu Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ryo Ochi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Midori Takayama
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Hidehito Niimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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