Research Database

Use the filters on the left to sort research by publication date, asset type, health asset, or health outcome.

May 2014
Prospective Study of the Association Between Dispositional Optimism and Incident Heart Failure
Prospective data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative study of older US adults, was analyzed to examine the relationship between optimism and heart failure, adjusting for sociodemographic, biological, behavioral, and psychological covariates. Higher optimism was associated with a lower risk of incident heart failure during the follow-up period, and these effects persisted when accounting for covariates.
March 2013
Social Relations, Health Behaviors, and Health Outcomes: A Survey and Synthesis
This paper summarizes current evidence of social relations and health, looking specifically at how social integration and support are related to health behaviors and outcomes. The paper reports that social relations benefit health behaviors, including chronic illness self-management, and decrease suicidal tendency.
February 2012
Can Optimism Decrease the Risk of Illness and Disease Among the Elderly?
Research suggests that optimistic individuals are more likely to live a healthier and longer life. However, more longitudinal studies are necessary to learn more about when, why, how and for whom optimism plays a role in good health and whether interventions that enhance optimism will yield health benefits.

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