MONTREAL/June 17, 2008—
In a new study, Concordia researcher Carsten Wrosch and Richard Schulz of the University of Pittsburgh show that the more elderly people face their physical challenges head-on, the better the long-term outcome. The results, appearing in the June issue of Psychological Science, are revealing.
The researchers studied elderly participants’ reports of daily physical symptoms (e.g., chest pain or difficulty breathing) and any subsequent (2 years later) presence of severe chronic diseases (e.g., arthritis or cancer,) and functional limitations (e.g., difficulty dressing), all the while keeping track of who was actively engaging themselves in their own health.
Among older adults who experienced many daily physical symptoms, those who did not invest in counteracting these challenges developed approximately one additional chronic health problem and one additional functional limitation two years later. In contrast, no physical health declines were observed among older adults who were actively engaged in overcoming these health threats.
For more information contact Carsten Wrosch at carsten.wrosch@concordia.ca or 514 848-2424 ext. 2231.
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Source :
Tanya Churchmuch
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Concordia University
