New research suggests that psychological resilience, ie having attitudes and behaviours that help people bounce back after stressful challenges, may help older individuals with type 2 diabetes to experience fewer hospitalisations and have better physical functioning, lower disability, better mental quality of life, and a lower likelihood of becoming frail.
The study, published in published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, recruited 3199 participants, average age 72.2 years, 61% female, 61% white, and followed them for 14 years. The association of resilience with some metrics (grip strength and self-reported disability) varied based on recent hospitalisation history, and results suggested that some associations may differ based on race/ethnicity.
“This study suggests that individuals who report being psychologically resilient also report fewer aging-related concerns,” said lead author KayLoni L. Olson, PhD, of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. “This study is preliminary but points to the potential role of psychological resilience in helping individuals feel better mentally and physically, which can ultimately enhance their later years of life.”
Source: Wiley
