Sense of Purpose in Life and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health: An Outcome-Wide Approach

Abstract

Purpose: Growing evidence indicates that a higher sense of purpose in life ( purpose) is associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases and mortality. However, epidemiological studies have not evaluated if change in purpose is associated with subsequent health and well-being outcomes. Design: We evaluated if positive change in purpose (between t0; 2006/2008 and t1;2010/2012) was associated with better outcomes on 35 indicators of physical health, health behaviors, and psychosocial well-being (at t2;2014/2016). Sample: We used data from 12,998 participants in the Health and Retirement study—a prospective and nationally representative cohort of U.S. adults aged >50. Analysis: We conducted multiple linear-, logistic-, and generalized linear regressions. Results: Over the 4-year follow-up period, people with the highest (versus lowest) purpose had better subsequent physical health outcomes (e.g., 46% reduced risk of mortality (95% CI [0.44, 0.66])), health behaviors (e.g., 13% reduced risk of sleep problems (95% CI [0.77, 0.99])), and psychosocial outcomes (e.g., higher optimism (β = 0.41, 95% CI [0.35, 0.47]), 43% reduced risk of depression (95% CI [0.46, 0.69]), lower loneliness (β = −0.35, 95% CI [−0.41, −0.29])). Importantly, however, purpose was not associated with other physical health outcomes, health behaviors, and social factors. Conclusion: With further research, these results suggest that sense of purpose might be a valuable target for innovative policy and intervention work aimed at improving health and well-being.

Mediation effects of cognitive, physical, and motivational reserves on cognitive performance in older people

“…These results are novel since they relate the cognitive reserve to motivational reserve and specifically to the meaning of life. They extend and converge with many studies that relate the meaning of life with positive neuropsychological aspects such as less anxiety and depression, greater physical, psychological and social well-being, as well as greater life expectancy and optimism ( Park et al, 2004 ; Peterson and Seligman, 2004 ; Kim et al, 2013 ; Proyer et al, 2013 ; Niemiec, 2014 ; Zilioli et al, 2015 ; Cohen et al, 2016 ; Steptoe, 2019 ; Steptoe and Fancourt, 2019 ; Trudel-Fitzgerald et al, 2019 ; Kim et al, 2020 ; Weziak-Bialowolska et al, 2021 ; Kim et al, 2022 ).All these variables can be related by key factors such as positive emotions, which are directly related to these constructs.…”

“…In addition, we also have to consider the positive effects and all the human strengths as part of the motivational aspects ( Reich et al, 2004 ) that have been appropriate and developed, among which is worth highlighting the values and vital goals ( Park et al, 2004 ; Peterson and Seligman, 2004 ). In older people, numerous studies have shown that having a better perspective on one’s own meaning of life is related to better psychosocial health, physical well-being, a lower risk of mortality and depression, less loneliness, more optimism and more allostatic load ( Zilioli et al, 2015 ; Cohen et al, 2016 ; Steptoe and Fancourt, 2019 ; Kim et al, 2020 , 2022 ).…”

What makes life purposeful? Identifying the antecedents of a sense of purpose in life using a lagged exposure-wide approach

“…Thus, identifying factors that contribute to healthy trajectories of mental and physical health, and also counteract despair, is vital for improving the health and well-being of older adults ( Oppers et al, 2012 ). While much effort has focused on identifying risk factors of disease, investigators are increasingly seeking potentially modifiable health assets that uniquely enhance a person's ability to foster healthy behaviors and physical health ( Kim et al, 2021 ; Kubzansky et al, 2018 ; Levine et al, 2021 ; Ryff, 2014 ; VanderWeele, 2017 ; VanderWeele et al, 2020 ).…”

Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

“…Observational studies have shown that a strong sense of purpose in life is central to leading an active life, and that a lack of purpose in life can lead to boredom, increase risk of depression, and diminish resilience. Although only a few studies have assessed the pathophysiological outcomes of lack of purpose, a large number of recent studies have shown that lack of purpose increases the risk of death [38].…”