Rius-Ottenheim N, Kromhout D, van der Mast RC, Zitman FG, Geleijnse JM, Giltay EJ. Dispositional optimism and loneliness in older men.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2012;
27:151-9. [PMID:
21384433 DOI:
10.1002/gps.2701]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2010] [Revised: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Dispositional optimism, defined as a generalized tendency to positive outcome expectancies, is associated with well-being and successful aging. However, it remains unclear whether optimism is also correlated to less feelings of loneliness over time. We aimed to determine whether dispositional optimism is prospectively associated with less feelings of loneliness, independently of potential confounders inherent to the aging process.
METHODS
We observed 416 older men aged between 70 and 89 years (mean 74.9 years, standard deviation [SD] 4.7 years) within the population-based Zutphen Elderly Study during 10 years of follow-up. Baseline dispositional optimism was assessed using a four-item questionnaire. The presence of feelings of loneliness, the main outcome of our study, was assessed using the 11-item loneliness scale of De Jong Gierveld in the years 1990, 1993, 1995, and 2000. The association between baseline dispositional optimism and loneliness over time was tested by using multilevel regression analysis and by adjusting for potential confounders (i.e. age, living arrangement, social contacts, widowhood, memberships, self-rated health, and depressive symptoms).
RESULTS
Feelings of loneliness significantly increased during 10 years of follow-up but showed temporal stability (reliability coefficient 0.78). Low baseline dispositional optimism was strongly associated with loneliness over time, also in the adjusted analysis. A 1 SD increase in baseline dispositional optimism was associated with a 0.14 SD (95% confidence interval 0.04-0.23) lower level of loneliness (F(1,320) = 7.8; p = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS
Dispositional optimism is correlated to lower feelings of loneliness over time in older men, independently of depression or changes in social network.
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