The Association of Psychological Well-Being With Sensory and Cognitive Function and Neuronal Health in Aging Adults
Natascha Merten, A. Alex Pinto, Adam J. Paulsen, Yanjun Chen, Lauren K. Dillard, Mary Fischer, Carol D. Ryff, Carla R. Schubert, Karen J. Cruickshanks
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Psychological well-being (PWB) may be a potential modifiable risk factor of age-related diseases. We aimed to determine associations of PWB with sensorineural and cognitive function and neuronal health in middle-aged adults. METHODS: This study included 2039 Beaver Dam Offspring Study participants. We assessed PWB, hearing, visual acuity, contrast sensitivity impairment, olfactory impairment, cognition, and retinal (macular ganglion cell inner-plexiform layer, mGCIPL) thickness. Age-sex-education-adjusted multivariable linear, logistic regression, and generalized estimating equation models were used and then further adjusted for health-related confounders. RESULTS: Individuals with higher PWB had better hearing functions, visual acuity, and thicker mGCIPL and reduced odds for hearing, contrast sensitivity and olfactory impairment in age-sex-education-adjusted models. Effects on mGCIPL and visual and olfactory measures decreased with adjustment. Higher PWB was associated with better cognition, better combined sensorineural-cognitive function, and decreased cognitive impairment. DISCUSSION: Psychological well-being was associated with sensorineural-cognitive health indicating a potential of PWB interventions for healthy aging.