Having an optimistic partner can reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive decline, according to a new research in the US.
The study "The association between actor/partner optimism and cognitive functioning among older couples," found a small but positive link between their participants' own optimism and their cognitive functioning. Spreading optimism can help ease the risk of dementia.
Published in the Journal of Personality, the findings are based on the assessment of the optimistic behavior of nearly 4,457 retired heterosexual couples over the age of 50. Researchers measured the cognition of participants every two years. They went through five assessments over an eight-year period.
Their partner's optimism and their own cognitive functioning also showed a positive association. Researchers from Michigan State University and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggest that having an optimistic person as a person can be helpful with preventing the onset of cognitive decline.
The study points out that optimistic people could help improve their partner's health by leading them to healthy habits. This type of relationship can shrink the risk factors of Alzheimer's disease, dementia and cognitive decline as they grow old together. They can encourage each other to start exercise or quit smoking.
"We spend a lot of time with our partners," said William Chopik, co-author of the study. "They might encourage us to exercise, eat healthier or remind us to take our medicine. When your partner is optimistic and healthy, it can translate to similar outcomes in your own life. You actually do experience a rosier future by living longer and staving off cognitive illnesses."
"Maintaining a healthy weight and physical activity are large predictors. There are some physiological markers as well. It looks like people who are married to optimists tend to score better on all of those metrics," continued Chopik, "While there's some research on people being jealous of their partner's good qualities or on having bad reactions to someone trying to control you, it is balanced with other research that shows being optimistic is associated with perceiving your relationship in a positive light."
