Christopher C Stewart1, Lei Yu2,3, Crystal M Glover2,4, David A Bennett2,3, Robert S Wilson2,3,4, Patricia A Boyle2,4. 1. Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA. 2. Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. 3. Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. 4. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Abstract
Objectives: Little is known about the contribution of positive psychological factors, such as purpose in life, to healthcare and financial decision making in aging. Here, we examined the relationship between purpose and decision making and tested the hypothesis that purpose benefits decision making, particularly when cognition is limited. Methods: Participants were 1081 community-based older adults without dementia. Healthcare and financial decision making was measured via a 12-item performance-based instrument. Purpose was measured via a 10-item scale. Results: In a linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, and education, higher global cognition was associated with better performance on the decision making measure, as expected. Purpose was not directly related to decision making. However, the interaction of purpose with cognition was significant, such that greater purpose was associated with better decision making among persons with lower cognition. Discussion: Purpose in life may promote better decision making among older adults with lower cognition.
Objectives: Little is known about the contribution of positive psychological factors, such as purpose in life, to healthcare and financial decision making in aging. Here, we examined the relationship between purpose and decision making and tested the hypothesis that purpose benefits decision making, particularly when cognition is limited. Methods: Participants were 1081 community-based older adults without dementia. Healthcare and financial decision making was measured via a 12-item performance-based instrument. Purpose was measured via a 10-item scale. Results: In a linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, and education, higher global cognition was associated with better performance on the decision making measure, as expected. Purpose was not directly related to decision making. However, the interaction of purpose with cognition was significant, such that greater purpose was associated with better decision making among persons with lower cognition. Discussion: Purpose in life may promote better decision making among older adults with lower cognition.
Authors: Christopher C Stewart; Lei Yu; Robert S Wilson; David A Bennett; Patricia A Boyle Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2019-03-18 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Christopher M Nguyen; Joseph Barrash; Anna L Koenigs; Antoine Bechara; Daniel Tranel; Natalie L Denburg Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2013-08-02 Impact factor: 3.878
Authors: Christopher C Stewart; Lei Yu; Robert S Wilson; David A Bennett; Patricia A Boyle Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2018-03-22 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Robert S Wilson; Laurel A Beckett; Lisa L Barnes; Julie A Schneider; Julie Bach; Denis A Evans; David A Bennett Journal: Psychol Aging Date: 2002-06