Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Higher sense of purpose in life may be linked to lower mortality risk
Medical Xpress / Boston University / Preventive Medicine ^ | Nov. 15, 2022 | Koichiro Shiba et al

Posted on 11/17/2022 8:34:01 AM PST by ConservativeMind

Growing research indicates that one's purpose—i.e., the extent to which someone perceives a sense of direction and goals in their life—may be linked to health-protective benefits such as better physical functioning and lower risks of cardiovascular disease or cognitive decline.

Now, a new study found that people with higher levels of purpose may have a lower risk of death from any cause.

"Having a purpose in life has been known to improve many health outcomes on average," says Dr. Koichiro Shiba.

The results showed that people with the highest sense of purpose indicated the lowest risk of death (15.2 percent mortality risk), compared to people with the lowest sense of purpose (36.5 percent mortality risk).

The team also gathered data on additional factors that can influence health, such socioeconomic status, other demographic characteristics, baseline physical health, and depression, and found that an increase in these factors was also associated with increases in a higher sense of purpose.

Dr. Shiba speculates that the stronger observed purpose-mortality association in women may be attributable to gender difference in the use of healthcare services, "one of the postulated pathways linking purpose and health," he says. "Evidence suggests men tend to underuse necessary healthcare services, due to social norm. However, future study investigating the mechanisms underlying the gender difference is warranted."

"Even though people may view purpose as a 'psychological' factor, its impacts on health cannot be explained solely by processes that operate in our mind and biology. We need to consider how the psychological factor interacts with our social world and ultimately impacts our health."

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS:
I think everyone should have within them a higher sense of purpose, imparted and based on God.
1 posted on 11/17/2022 8:34:01 AM PST by ConservativeMind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; BusterDog; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 11/17/2022 8:34:34 AM PST by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Off topic a bit, but does the defeat of freedom and helping the global victory of communism count as a “higher purpose”? I sure hope not, because there are lots of fellow travelers who should not be enjoying a better, healthier life.


3 posted on 11/17/2022 8:36:43 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (If you're not part of the solution, you're just scumming up the bottom of the beaker!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Good thing, then, that I view myself as God’s gift to women. :/


4 posted on 11/17/2022 8:39:45 AM PST by ArtDodger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ArtDodger

Everyone says that about you.


5 posted on 11/17/2022 8:42:11 AM PST by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer” )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
Everyone has the same mortality risk.

Some achieve theirs sooner than others.

6 posted on 11/17/2022 8:44:02 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux - The Ultimate Windows Service Pack )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
Something to live for. What a surprise. Victor Frankl explored this in detail based on his experience in the camps. Man’s Search for Meaning
7 posted on 11/17/2022 8:51:51 AM PST by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

“God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in the next.”
Baltimore Catechism.


8 posted on 11/17/2022 9:37:50 AM PST by married21 (As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hinckley buzzard

I’ve done a longitudinal study on learning:

Children learn better in a pleasant setting than they do in a harsh setting.

Pay me.


9 posted on 11/17/2022 10:02:38 AM PST by Migraine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Basically, a reason to live. I refer it as “making the world a better place because you are in it”. I find that the happiest people are ones who enjoy serving others. The need to be needed.


10 posted on 11/17/2022 10:35:17 AM PST by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

That and not getting vaxxed.

Or knowing the Clintons.


11 posted on 11/17/2022 2:38:51 PM PST by LS ("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually" (Hendrix) )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hinckley buzzard

“Something to live for. What a surprise. Victor Frankl explored this in detail based on his experience in the camps. Man’s Search for Meaning ”
Everyone should read his book.


12 posted on 11/17/2022 7:21:42 PM PST by wjcsux (RIP Rush Limbaugh 12 Jan 1951- 17 Feb 2021. We really miss you. 😢)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson