TitleEmotional Reactivity and Mortality: Longitudinal Findings From the VA Normative Aging Study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsMroczek, DK, Stawski, RS, Turiano, NA, Chan, W, Almeida, DM, Neupert, SD, Spiro, A
JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Volume70
Issue3
Pagination398-406
Date Published2015 May
ISSN1758-5368
KeywordsAffect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Stress, Psychological, United States, United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Abstract

<p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>Evidence suggests a predictive association between emotion and mortality risk. However, no study has examined dynamic aspects of emotion in relation to mortality. This study used an index of emotional reactivity, defined as changes in positive or negative affect in response to daily stressors, to predict 10-year survival.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>An 8-day daily diary study was conducted in 2002 on 181 men aged 58-88. Multilevel models were employed to estimate emotional reactivity coefficients, which were subsequently entered into a Cox proportional hazards model to predict mortality.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Results indicated that positive emotional reactivity, that is, greater decreases in positive affect in response to daily stressors, increased mortality risk. Negative emotional reactivity did not predict mortality.</p><p><b>DISCUSSION: </b>Findings highlight the potential importance of dynamic aspects of positive affect in prediction of physical health outcomes such as mortality.</p>

DOI10.1093/geronb/gbt107
Alternate JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
PubMed ID24170714
PubMed Central IDPMC4542645
Grant ListP01-AG020166 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG018436 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG018436 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P01 AG020166 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P01 AG043362 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States