Randomized trial examines cognitive impairment risk linked to purpose in life, personal growth, and life satisfaction in older women, indicating intervention potential.
Key Points
This study explores how purpose in life, personal growth, and life satisfaction relate to the risk of cognitive impairment in older women.
Population included 1,179 U.S. women aged 77-93 from the WHIMS-ECHO cohort.
Participants completed psychological assessments in 2012 and were followed until 2021.
Cognitive status was evaluated annually using standardized assessments.
33% lower risk of cognitive impairment was observed in women with high personal growth (HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46-0.96).
The relationship between purpose in life and cognitive impairment was mainly mediated by lower perceived stress and higher physical activity (61%).
No significant association was found for life satisfaction with cognitive impairment.