In the Canada, supporting healthy aging is a major public health goal.

Gratitude, a psychological factor that can potentially be cultivated, might play a crucial role in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults. Surprisingly, though, its link to mortality hasn't been thoroughly explored.

So, the objective of this study was to investigate exactly that—how gratitude relates to overall and specific causes of mortality in later life. The research used data from nearly 50,000 older female registered nurses in the Nurses’ Health Study, collected from 2016 to 2019. They answered questions about gratitude levels and provided information through medical records.

Researchers used statistical models to analyze the data, adjusting for factors like demographics, social engagement, physical health, lifestyle, cognitive function, and mental well-being. Over the study period, which spanned from late 2022 to early 2024, they tracked deaths using various sources, including official records and family reports.

What they found was intriguing: participants who reported higher levels of gratitude tended to have lower risks of dying, across the board. For instance, those in the highest category of gratitude had a significantly lower risk of death from any cause compared to those with the lowest gratitude levels.

When looking specifically at cardiovascular-related deaths, gratitude was again linked to a reduced risk, suggesting it might have protective effects on heart health.

In conclusion, this study offers initial evidence suggesting that feeling grateful could potentially increase longevity among older adults. However, the findings will need further confirmation through studies involving broader and more diverse populations.

So, what do you think about how gratitude might influence our health as we age?

Source: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2820770?guestAccessKey=e8657bd4-011f-41d6-a7bd-3663158e7e12&