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Factors related to aging well: the influence of optimism, hardiness and spiritual well being on the physical health functioning of older adults

Reinhoudt, Cynthia J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092771722

Abstract Details

2004, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Hardiness, Dispositional Optimism, Religious Well Being, Existential Well Being and Frequency of Attendance at Religious activities were evaluated as predictors of Aging Well in a sample of 188 older adults 60-101 years of age. The results support the significant contribution of Hardiness to all of the wellness measures, Physical Functioning, Physical Role Performance, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning and overall Mental Health. Once Hardiness was taken into account, the relation between Optimism and all of the outcome variables decreased. Support was found for Hardiness as a mediator of the relationship between Optimism and Vitality as well as Social Functioning. Hardiness appears to be a partial mediator of the relationship between Optimism and Mental Health where Optimism continued to make a significant although reduced contribution to Mental Health. Optimism did predict those individuals who despite low physical functioning were able to maintain high levels of Mental Health. A strong personal relationship with God and Frequency of Attendance at Religious Activities were not significant predictors of any of the outcome variables. However, Existential Meaning, a sense of meaning and purpose in one’s life, made significant contributions to Vitality, Social Functioning and Mental Health. Evidence was found that with increasing age, Optimism can compensate for low levels of Hardiness to maintain optimal levels of Social Functioning. Similarly, with advancing age, Existential Meaning can compensate for low levels of Hardiness to maintain optimal levels of Mental Health.
Pamela Highlen (Advisor)
168 p.
HARDINESS; OPTIMISM; RWB; EWB; Optimism to Hardiness; AGING; Successful Aging

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Reinhoudt, C. J. (2004). Factors related to aging well: the influence of optimism, hardiness and spiritual well being on the physical health functioning of older adults [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092771722

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Reinhoudt, Cynthia. Factors related to aging well: the influence of optimism, hardiness and spiritual well being on the physical health functioning of older adults. 2004. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092771722.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Reinhoudt, Cynthia. "Factors related to aging well: the influence of optimism, hardiness and spiritual well being on the physical health functioning of older adults." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1092771722

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1092771722
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© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.