Highlights
- •What is the primary question addressed by this study? What is the prevalence and potential mental health benefits of purpose in life in a nationally representative sample of older U.S. military veterans?
- •What is the main finding of this study? In this cross-sectional study (N = 4,069), most veterans endorsed average purpose in life (71.7%), while 16.0% endorsed low purpose in life and 12.4% endorsed high purpose in life. High purpose in life was associated with 42%–94% reduced odds of screening positive for major depressive, generalized anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use disorders, as well as suicide attempts, ideation, and future intent.
- •What is the meaning of the finding? Given the “dose-response” relationship found between purpose in life and a broad range of mental health outcomes, purpose in life may be an important transdiagnostic prevention and treatment target.
ABSTRACT
Objective
To determine the current prevalence of perceived purpose in life (PIL) and its association
with screening positive for mental disorders and suicidality in a nationally representative
sample of predominantly older U.S. veterans.
Methods
Data were analyzed from the 2019–2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
(N = 4,069; Mage = 62.2). Veterans were classified into three groups based on perceived PIL level
(i.e., low, average, and high). Self-report assessments were administered to screen
for mental disorders and suicidality.
Results
Most veterans endorsed average PIL (71.7%), while 16.0% endorsed low PIL and 12.4%
endorsed high PIL. A “dose-response” association was observed between PIL and outcomes.
High PIL was associated with 42%–94% reduced odds of screening positive for major
depressive, generalized anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and substance use disorders,
as well as suicide attempts, ideation, and future intent.
Conclusion
Higher PIL is associated with lower odds of mental disorders and suicidality in U.S.
veterans, underscoring the potential importance of interventions to bolster PIL in
this population.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 23, 2022
Accepted:
September 21,
2022
Received in revised form:
August 22,
2022
Received:
May 14,
2022
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry.
ScienceDirect
Access this article on ScienceDirectLinked Article
- Relationships of Purpose in Life with Mental Health Among Older Adults: Links to Health and Social BehaviorsThe American Journal of Geriatric PsychiatryVol. 31Issue 2
- PreviewPurpose in life (PIL) is often defined as how an individual experiences their life as being directed, organized, and motivated by important goals. More broadly, PIL can also be conceptualized in relation to health and well-being, meaningful goals and purpose, inner strength, social relationships, mattering to others, and spirituality and religiousness. Many studies have shown how PIL is associated with these positive outcomes among older adults. Older adults with high PIL have lower mortality rates and higher rates of successful aging.
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