In a previous study, the research group determined that optimism was linked to a longer lifespan and exceptional longevity, which was defined as living beyond 85 years of age. The study was published online on June 8, 2022, in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Our findings suggest that thereвЂ™s value to focusing on positive psychological factors, like optimism, as possible new ways of promoting longevity and healthy aging across diverse groups.вЂќ вЂњA lot of previous work has focused on deficits or risk factors that increase the risks for diseases and premature death. вЂњAlthough optimism itself may be affected by social structural factors, such as race and ethnicity, our research suggests that the benefits of optimism may hold across diverse groups,вЂќ said Hayami Koga, a PhD student in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences studying in the Population Health Sciences program in partnership with Harvard Chan School and lead author of the study. Boston, MA вЂ“ Higher levels of optimism were associated with longer lifespan and living beyond age 90 in women across racial and ethnic groups in a study led by researchers at Harvard T.H.

Author of optimism