Int J Aging Hum Dev 2016 Sep 20. Epub 2016 Sep 20.

Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA.

We investigated the protective impact of savoring capacity on the relationship between physical health and psychological well-being among older adults. A total of 266 adults over 55 years old (Mean = 73.4 years) completed measures of savoring ability, self-reported health, and life satisfaction. Savoring ability moderated the relationship between health and life satisfaction in older adults. Among people with less savoring ability, poor health was associated with lower life satisfaction. In contrast, people with greater savoring ability maintained higher life satisfaction, regardless of their level of health. These effects were consistent across a variety of different aspects of health, including general health, pain, limitations due to physical health, energy, and social functioning. These findings have direct implications for developing positive interventions to support the psychological well-being of older adults.

Aging Ment Health 2015 4;19(3):192-200. Epub 2014 Dec 4.

a Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging , Evanston , IL , USA.

Objectives: Guided by Fredrickson's broaden and build theory of positive emotions and Zautra's dynamic model of affect, the current study examines the relation between savoring positive experiences (i.e., the ability to notice and regulate positive feelings) and psychological well-being for older adults with higher and lower levels of resilience. Read More

J Appl Gerontol 2017 Feb 1:733464817693375. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

2 National Louis University, Chicago, IL, USA.

Savoring is the ability to be mindful of positive experiences and to be aware of and regulate positive feelings about these experiences. Previous research has found that savoring interventions can be effective at improving well-being of younger adults, but findings have not been extended to older populations. This pilot study examined the effects of a 1-week savoring intervention on older adults' psychological resilience and well-being (i. Read More

Pers Individ Dif 2017 Jan 1;105:164-169. Epub 2016 Oct 1.

University of Kentucky.

The ability to savor positive life events is associated with higher emotional well-being; however, few studies have examined savoring ability in older adults. The present study used a longitudinal design to examine changes in perceived savoring abilities and associations with perceived health in older adulthood. Older adults (N=131) reported on beliefs about savoring and perceived health at baseline and 2½ years later. Read More

Psychooncology 2017 Feb 16;26(2):231-238. Epub 2016 Mar 16.

Department of Surgery, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong.

Background: This study investigated the associations of savoring with cancer-specific physical symptoms, psychological distress, and psychological well-being and the moderating effect of savoring in the associations between physical symptoms and psychological outcomes among cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 263 Chinese adults recently diagnosed with cancer (mean time since diagnosis = 43.72 days, SD = 38. Read More