Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Psychology, Clinical-Community

Date of Defense

6-17-2024

Graduate Advisor

Ann Steffen, Ph.D., ABPP

Committee

Emily Gerstein, Ph.D.

Kamila White, Ph.D.

Patrick Hill, Ph.D.

Abstract

Purpose in life is an important dimension of psychological well-being with associated health benefits. The current study used a path analysis model to examine how perceived cognitive control, health locus of control- self, engagement in physical activity, and engagement in challenging cognitive activities relate to purpose in life longitudinally. Multimorbidity status was also examined as a potential moderator of paths in the model. Participants were middle-aged and older adults who participated in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) longitudinal national study (n = 2,481). After controlling for relevant covariates, engagement in physical activity, engagement in challenging cognitive activities, and health locus of control-self were all directly related to future purpose in life. Control beliefs appeared to be related to domain-specific behaviors. That is, health locus of control-self was positively related to engagement in physical activity and perceived cognitive control was positively related to engagement in challenging cognitive activities. Perceived cognitive control was also indirectly related to future purpose in life through challenging cognitive activities. Lastly, several pathways were hypothesized to be moderated by multimorbidity status. The only pathway found to be moderated was that between engagement in challenging cognitive activities and future purpose in life, such that engagement in challenging cognitive activities was significantly (positively) related to future purpose in life only for those without multimorbidities. Intervention targets such as beliefs related to internalized ageism, self-efficacy beliefs related to cognition, and behavioral activation may influence purpose in life, leading to benefits for psychological well-being and physical health.

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