Emotional Well-being and Biomarkers of Healthy Aging
Northwestern University
Summary
This randomized control study is designed to understand the role of a positive psychology intervention (PARK: Positive Affect Regulation sKills) in biological aging and well-being. PARK provides a series of positive emotion skills in a self-guided online format, making the program accessible and convenient. Our main aims are: Aim 1: To explore the effects of PARK on psychological well-being (e.g., depression, anxiety, positive affect). Aim 2: To explore the effects of PARK on biological age as defined by DNA methylation (DNAm) GrimAge and electrocardiogram-age (ECG-age), as well as physiological well-being in adults (e.g., cardiovascular, endocrine, musculoskeletal functioning, etc.).
Description
The skills in the Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI), PARK (e.g., gratitude, mindful awareness and nonjudgement, and self-compassion) are designed to promote positive emotion, which has been shown to provide resilience against stress. Positive emotion, independent of stress and negative emotion, has also been associated with a lower risk of mortality and better health behaviors such as likelihood of physical activity and healthy eating. This randomized control study will compare baseline well-being scores to post-online intervention at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post-baseline. Secon…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 40–70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 40-70 * Speaks and reads English * Able to access the online platform through their phone, a public device (i.e., at the library) or at home. * Lives in the Chicagoland area * Willing/able to travel to the Human Longevity Lab for in-person visits Exclusion Criteria: * Adults unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Pregnant women * Prisoners * Vulnerable Populations * Pre-existing heart disease (prevalent coronary heart and cerebrovascular disease or heart failure) * Type 2 diabetes * Severe psychiatric illness
Interventions
- BehavioralPositive Emotion Skills Intervention
Skills include positive events, capitalizing, gratitude, mindfulness, positive reappraisal, personal strengths, achievable goals, and self-compassion. The skills will be delivered over approximately 6 weeks, and individuals can participate from any device and location with internet access. A week will consist of 1-2 days of didactic material and 5-6 days of real-life skills practice and reporting. Participants cannot skip ahead and can only progress to the next lesson if they have completed the current one, but they can return to old lessons or exercises if they wish to.
Location
- Potocsnak Human Longevity LabChicago, Illinois