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Findings of the research - published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry - show that the mental health of aging adults consistently improves over time.
"Their improved sense of psychological well-being was linear and substantial," says senior author Dilip Jeste, M.D., distinguished professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences and director of the Center on Healthy Aging at UC-San Diego.
"Participants reported that they felt better about themselves and their lives year upon year, decade after decade," he adds.
Jeste and colleagues noted that individuals in their 20s and 30s exhibited increased levels of perceived stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression. "This 'fountain of youth' period is associated with far worse levels of psychological well-being than any other period of adulthood," says Jeste.
Previous research has indicated that older adults are more capable of coping with stressful life changes, which may explain improved positive mental health as people age. Jeste says people learn "not to sweat out the little things. And a lot of previously big things become little."
Increased wisdom with age might be another explanation. Older individuals have been shown to be more skilled at regulating emotion and complex social decision-making, and retaining fewer negative emotions and memories - all common elements of wisdom - say the researchers.
To read the full article, click on the link below.
Category(s):Aging & Geriatric Issues, Happiness, Life Purpose / Meaning / Inner-Guidance
Source material from Medical News Today
