Dispositional optimism and the risk of cardiovascular death: the Zutphen Elderly Study

Archives of Internal Medicine
Erik J GiltayDaan Kromhout

Abstract

Dispositional optimism, defined in terms of life engagement and generalized positive outcome expectancies for one's future, may be related to lower cardiovascular mortality. We aimed to determine whether dispositional optimism is a stable trait over time and whether it is independently related to lower cardiovascular mortality in elderly men. In a cohort study with a follow-up of 15 years, we included 545 (61.4%) of 887 men, aged 64 to 84 years, who were free of preexisting cardiovascular disease and cancer and who had complete data on cardiovascular risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics. Dispositional optimism was assessed using a 4-item questionnaire in 1985, 1990, 1995, and 2000. In Cox proportional hazards models, the first 2 years of observation were excluded. Optimism scores significantly decreased over 15 years, but showed temporal stability (reliability coefficients, 0.72 over 5 years and 0.78 over 15 years; P < .001). Optimists in 1985 had a hazard ratio for cardiovascular mortality of 0.45 (top tertile vs lowest tertile; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.68), adjusted for classic cardiovascular risk factors. The risk of cardiovascular death was inversely associated with increased tertiles of dispositional op...Continue Reading

Citations

Jul 16, 2008·Annals of Family Medicine·Robert GramlingCharles B Eaton
Apr 1, 2009·BMC Cardiovascular Disorders·Gunnar EinvikElsa M Hjerkinn
Mar 2, 2011·Archives of Internal Medicine·John C BarefootDaniel B Mark
May 11, 2011·Health Psychology : Official Journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·Julia K BoehmLaura Kubzansky
Aug 27, 2011·Behavior Genetics·Nathaly Rius-OttenheimErik J Giltay
Oct 8, 2011·Inflammation Research : Official Journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et Al.]·Nathaly Rius-OttenheimErik J Giltay
Oct 28, 2011·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·Erik J GiltayDaan Kromhout
Oct 3, 2009·Journal of Personality·Andrew SteptoeJane Wardle
Apr 6, 2018·Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society·Sumiyo YasukawaHiroyasu Iso
Jul 20, 2019·Aging·Eric S KimLaura D Kubzansky

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