Title | Survival Advantage Mechanism: Inflammation as a Mediator of Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging on Longevity. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Levy, BR, Bavishi, A |
Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
Volume | 73 |
Issue | 3 |
Pagination | 409-412 |
Date Published | 2018 Mar 02 |
ISSN Number | 1758-5368 |
Keywords | Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Biomarkers, C-reactive protein, Female, Humans, Inflammation, Longevity, Male, Middle Aged, Self Concept, Surveys and Questionnaires, Survival Analysis |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have found that positive self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are associated with longer survival; however, a biological mechanism was unknown. We examined whether C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of cumulative stress-related inflammation, mediates the relationship between SPA and survival. METHOD: The SPA of participants aged 50 and older in the Health and Retirement Study (N = 4,149) were assessed at baseline. Inflammation was measured by the level of CRP 4 years later. Survival was followed for up to 6 years. RESULTS: As hypothesized, CRP mediated the impact of SPA on survival. Following the steps of a mediation analysis, positive SPA at baseline predicted lower CRP after 4 years (β = -.29, p = .03) and longer survival in the 2 years following the CRP measurement (β = .20, p =.003); additionally, lower CRP predicted longer survival, after adjusting for positive SPA (β = -.02, p = .0001). All models adjusted for baseline age, CRP, health, sex, race, and education. DISCUSSION: It was found that lower CRP partially mediates the relationship between positive SPA and longer survival. Hence, this study presents a novel pathway to explain the process by which positive SPA extend longevity. |
Notes | 10.1093/geronb/gbw035 |
URL | http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/03/26/geronb.gbw035.abstractN2 - |
DOI | 10.1093/geronb/gbw035 |
User Guide Notes | |
Endnote Keywords | Aging/C-reactive protein/Inflammation/Longevity/Mechanism/Mortality/Self-perceptions of aging/Social cognition/Survival |
Endnote ID | 999999 |
Alternate Journal | J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci |
Citation Key | 6499 |
PubMed ID | 27032428 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC5927092 |
Grant List | R01 AG032284 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States U01 AG032284 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |