Resilience-Building Interventions for Successful and Positive Aging

Pilot Study of Compassion Meditation Training to Improve Well-being Among Older Adults

“…As an exploratory study, and in accord with the positive mental health movement, we were interested in exploring areas for which CM might prove beneficial in not just addressing distress, but also fostering positive growth (Harmell, Kamat, Jeste, & Palmer, 2016;Jeste & Palmer, 2013). The exploratory analyses are helpful in suggesting potentially new targets for which CM might prove helpful, and some unexpected null findings in domains most directly relevant to the goals of CM training may also illuminate future directions.…”

Resilience and mind-body interventions in late-life depression

“…9 Physical and cognitive engagement, physical activity, and high brain reserve have been shown to confer resilience to affective and cognitive changes in older adults, despite brain vulnerability. 9 The greatest levels of resilience have been observed in individuals in their fifth decade of life and later, 4,10 with high levels of resilience significantly contributing to longevity 5 ; however, little is known about which factors contribute to heterogeneity in resilience characteristics and outcomes. 4 Furthermore, the concept of resilience continues to raise numerous questions, including:…”

“…4 The construct is closely aligned with "successful aging" and can be fostered in older adults, leading to improved physical and mental health and well-being. 5 While initially resilience was conceptualized as the opposite of depressive states, recent research has identified resilience in the context of major depressive disorder (MDD) as the net effects of various psychosocial and biological variables that decrease the risk of onset, relapse, or depressive illness severity and increase the probability or speed of recovery. 6 Late-life depression (LLD) in adults age >65 is a common and debilitating disease, often leading to decreased psychological well-being, increased cognitive decline, and excess mortality.…”