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

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 sens

SUBMITTER: Sutin AR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10456211 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature