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Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lee, HH; Okuzono, SS; Kim, ES; De Vivo, I; Raffield, LM; Glover, L; Sims, M; Grodstein, F; Kubzansky, LD
Published in: Psychoneuroendocrinology
March 2021

BACKGROUND: Optimism is linked with greater longevity in both White and African American populations. Optimism may enhance longevity by slowing cellular aging, for which leukocyte telomere shortening is a biomarker. However, limited studies have examined the association of optimism with leukocyte telomere length among African Americans. METHODS: Data are from 723 men and 1244 women participating in the Jackson Heart Study (age = 21-93 years). We used multivariable linear regression models to conduct cross-sectional analyses examining whether higher optimism was associated with longer mean absolute leukocyte telomere length (assayed with Southern blot analysis). Models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptomatology, health conditions, and health behavior-related factors. We also considered potential effect modification by key factors. RESULTS: In the age-adjusted model, optimism, measured as a continuous variable, was not associated with leukocyte telomere length (β = 0.01, 95%CI: -0.02, 0.04). This association remained null in the fully-adjusted model (β = 0.02, 95%CI: -0.02, 0.05) and was also null when considering optimism as a binary measure (higher vs. lower optimism). We found no evidence of effect modification by sex, age, body mass index, income, or chronic conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Optimism was not associated with leukocyte telomere length among African American adults. Future studies should investigate alternate biological and behavioral mechanisms that may explain the optimism-health association.

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Published In

Psychoneuroendocrinology

DOI

EISSN

1873-3360

Publication Date

March 2021

Volume

125

Start / End Page

105124

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Telomere Shortening
  • Telomere
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Leukocytes
  • Humans
  • Female
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Lee, H. H., Okuzono, S. S., Kim, E. S., De Vivo, I., Raffield, L. M., Glover, L., … Kubzansky, L. D. (2021). Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 125, 105124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105124
Lee, Harold H., Sakurako S. Okuzono, Eric S. Kim, Immaculata De Vivo, Laura M. Raffield, LáShauntá Glover, Mario Sims, Francine Grodstein, and Laura D. Kubzansky. “Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study.Psychoneuroendocrinology 125 (March 2021): 105124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105124.
Lee HH, Okuzono SS, Kim ES, De Vivo I, Raffield LM, Glover L, et al. Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2021 Mar;125:105124.
Lee, Harold H., et al. “Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study.Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 125, Mar. 2021, p. 105124. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105124.
Lee HH, Okuzono SS, Kim ES, De Vivo I, Raffield LM, Glover L, Sims M, Grodstein F, Kubzansky LD. Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2021 Mar;125:105124.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychoneuroendocrinology

DOI

EISSN

1873-3360

Publication Date

March 2021

Volume

125

Start / End Page

105124

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Telomere Shortening
  • Telomere
  • Psychiatry
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Leukocytes
  • Humans
  • Female