Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Mounting evidence suggests that higher optimism is associated with reduced risk of age-related morbidities and premature mortality. Yet, possible biological mechanisms underlying these associations remain understudied. One hypothesized mechanism is a slower rate of cellular aging, which in turn delays age-related declines in health. We used data fr...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Despite the high prevalence of late-life depression and anxiety at threshold and subthreshold levels, their joint role in the disablement process remains unclear. This study aims to examine the association of comorbid occurring depression and anxiety across the full spectrum of symptom severity with disability onset in older adults. The study inclu...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
To address the common reliance on the global Big Five domains in the personality and longevity literature, the present study examined mortality risk associated with sub-dimensions of Big Five domains as well as specific traits within the Interpersonal Circumplex (IPC) model of personality. Data were drawn from three major longitudinal studies of ag...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Subtle cognitive deficits indicating early neural risk are common in the clinical presentation of coronary artery disease (CAD). Although deterioration may be mitigated by exercise, cognitive response to exercise is heterogeneous. Vasculopathy including endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of CAD and may play an important role in impairing neural ...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
This set of studies examines the bidirectional links between social rejection and poor sleep, a ubiquitous and increasingly problematic health behavior. In study 1, a multiday field experiment, 43 participants completed a neutral task just before sleep on night 1 and a social rejection task on night 2. Objective and subjective sleep, postrejection ...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Using an integrative view of psychology, neuroscience, immunology, and psychophysiology, the present review of literature curates the findings that have had an impact on the field of bereavement research and shaped its development. Beginning with pivotal systematic descriptions of medical and psychological responses to the death of a loved one by L...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Emotional characteristics and processes are robust predictors of the development and course of major medical illnesses and premature mortality, as are a variety of indicators of the presence and quality of personal relationships. Despite clear evidence of close interconnection between these two domains of risk and protection, affective characterist...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Within a couple, partners influence each other's mental and physical health. This review focuses on how couples' relationships, the partners' individual and joint vulnerabilities, and their health behaviors influence health through changes in the gut microbiota, metabolism, and immune function. Couples' shared stressors and emotions and their inter...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Social relationships and emotions are important to health and disease, but research in this area has largely progressed along parallel and distinct historical paths. These areas are critically linked because relationships are among the most powerful elicitors of health-relevant emotions and emotions can in turn influence relationships for better or...
Published in Psychosomatic medicine
Positive psychology interventions, which involve systematic completion of activities designed to promote well-being, are being increasingly studied in medically ill patients. However, the extent to which these interventions ameliorate patient anxiety remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of the study was to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the ef...
