Mind over Body: Positive attitude and flexible control beliefs on positive aging

Abstract

Positive attitude toward aging and a flexible coping style have been found to facilitate successful aging. Cognitive beliefs such as hope and positive attitude towards aging has been found to slow down the negative impact of aging on brain functions; furthermore, the negative effect of stress on aging can be ameliorated by the moderating effects of goal oriented and situation driven selection and compensation of different coping strategies. An empirical study conducted in Singapore is presented. Using both the primary control belief strategies and the secondary control beliefs and strategies, Singaporean elderly studied (ages of 55 and 84 (males: N=81; females: N= 50) showed positive adjustment. Different coping strategies showed different effects on different symptoms assessed by the General Health Questionnaire. We trace the philosophical origins of the Asian conceptualization of life-span development and the positive beliefs and values on aging to show that: In this modern Asian community, the traditional beliefs and values still persist. With a more positive conceptualization of aging, the Singaporean elderly are actively engaging in situation-oriented and goal-driven selection of a variety of coping strategies to manage their aging.