Exploring Positive and Negative Affect as Key Indicators of Life Satisfaction among Centenarians : Does Cognitive Performance Matter?

Abstract EN

The aim of this investigation was to determine how cognitive performance was associated with positive and negative affect and life satisfaction over time.

This study involved a secondary longitudinal analysis of cross-section data collected at Phase I (1988–1992) and during an 18-month longitudinal followup at Phase II (1992–1998) of the Georgia Centenarian Study.

Participants included N=137 centenarians at Time 1 and N=68 survivors at Time 2.

Significant stability in cognitive impairment existed at Time 1 and Time 2 for positive (β=.55,P<.01) and negative affect (β=.54,P<.01) models.

Negative affect at Time 1 was associated with lower life satisfaction at Time 1 (β=-.42,P<.01 ).

In addition, cognitive impairment at Time 2 was associated with decreased positive emotionality at Time 2 (β=−.39, P>.01).

Furthermore, greater positive affect at Time 2 was associated with greater satisfaction with life at Time 2 (β=.35,P<.01).

It appears that positive emotionality contemporaneously influences the association between cognitive impairment and life satisfaction among centenarians.

Implications relative to improving life satisfaction among centenarians are discussed.