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Archives of clinical neuropsychology : the official journal of the National Academy of Neuropsychologists
Aug 24, 2023;38 (6): 983-989.

Sense of Purpose in Life and Beliefs and Knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease.

Angelina R Sutin, Yannick Stephan, Martina Luchetti, Damaris Aschwanden, Amanda A Sesker, Xianghe Zhu, Antonio Terracciano
Author Information
  1. Angelina R Sutin: Department of Behavioral Science and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA. ORCID
  2. Yannick Stephan: Euromov, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
  3. Martina Luchetti: Department of Behavioral Science and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
  4. Damaris Aschwanden: Department of Geriatrics, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
  5. Amanda A Sesker: Department of Behavioral Science and Social Medicine, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
  6. Xianghe Zhu: Department of Geriatrics, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
  7. Antonio Terracciano: Department of Geriatrics, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
PMID: 36744681 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad014

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: A sense of purpose in life is associated with healthier cognitive outcomes, including lower risk of Alzheimer's Disease (ad). The present research examines whether purpose is also associated with beliefs and knowledge of ad.
METHOD: A random subsample (N = 1,187) of community-dwelling participants from the Health and Retirement Study completed a module on self-reported beliefs and knowledge of ad.
RESULTS: Purpose in life was associated with lower perceived threat of ad and greater belief that modifiable factors (e.g., physical activity) decrease risk. Associations were not moderated by experience with ad or depressive symptoms. Purpose was unrelated to beliefs that genetics or stress increase risk or knowledge of ad.
CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a sense of purpose are less concerned about risk of developing ad and believe modifiable factors reduce risk. These beliefs may support engagement in behaviors that reduce risk and be one psychological pathway through which purpose protects against ad.

Keywords

Alzheimer’s belief Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer’s threat Dementia Purpose in life

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Grants

  1. R01 AG074573/NIA NIH HHS
  2. U01 AG009740/NIA NIH HHS
  3. R01AG074573/NIH HHS

MeSH Term

Humans
Alzheimer Disease
Neuropsychological Tests
Risk
Self Report
Knowledge
Journal Article
Article has an altmetric score of 7

Word Cloud

Created with Highcharts 10.0.0adriskpurposebeliefsPurposelifeassociatedknowledgeAlzheimer’ssenselowerAlzheimer'sDiseasethreatbeliefmodifiablefactorsreduceOBJECTIVE:healthiercognitiveoutcomesincludingpresentresearchexamineswhetheralsoMETHOD:randomsubsampleN = 1187community-dwellingparticipantsHealthRetirementStudycompletedmoduleself-reportedRESULTS:perceivedgreateregphysicalactivitydecreaseAssociationsmoderatedexperiencedepressivesymptomsunrelatedgeneticsstressincreaseCONCLUSIONS:IndividualslessconcerneddevelopingbelievemaysupportengagementbehaviorsonepsychologicalpathwayprotectsSenseLifeBeliefsKnowledgediseaseDementia

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