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Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging.

Becca R. Levy, Martin D. Slade, Suzanne Kunkel, Stanislav V. Kasl

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · 2002 · ▲ 1,013 citations

Epigenetic alterations

Abstract

This research found that older individuals with more positive self-perceptions of aging, measured up to 23 years earlier, lived 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions of aging. This advantage remained after age, gender, socioeconomic status, loneliness, and functional health were included as covariates. It was also found that this effect is partially mediated by will to live. The sample consisted of 660 individuals aged 50 and older who participated in a community-based survey, the Ohio Longitudinal Study of Aging and Retirement (OLSAR). By matching the OLSAR to mortality data recently obtained from the National Death Index, the authors were able to conduct survival analyses. The findings suggest that the self-perceptions of stigmatized groups can influence longevity.

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Provenance

Source: OpenAlex
DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.83.2.261
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Fetched: 2026-05-31 MST

Cite this

APA

Levy, B.R., Slade, M.D., Kunkel, S., & Kasl, S.V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. <em>Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</em>. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.83.2.261

Vancouver

Levy BR, Slade MD, Kunkel S, Kasl SV. Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2002. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.83.2.261.

BibTeX

@article{becca2002Longev, title = {Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging.}, author = {Becca R. Levy and Martin D. Slade and Suzanne Kunkel and Stanislav V. Kasl}, journal = {Journal of Personality and Social Psychology}, year = {2002}, doi = {10.1037//0022-3514.83.2.261}, }