Psychoneuroendocrinology
-
Psychoneuroendocrinology · Mar 2021
Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study.
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. ⋯ 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.