Arch Gen Psychiat
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Comparative Study
Dispositional optimism and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a prospective cohort of elderly dutch men and women.
Major depression is known to be related to higher cardiovascular mortality. However, epidemiological data regarding dispositional optimism in relation to mortality are scanty. ⋯ Our results provide support for a graded and independent protective relationship between dispositional optimism and all-cause mortality in old age. Prevention of cardiovascular mortality accounted for much of the effect.