Recent Findings from the MIDUS Study

Life’s little pleasures, from having a good conversation to sitting under a tree, may seem simple, but could add importantly to psychological well-being and satisfaction with life. Some individuals may, however, have less access to …

Research has shown that people with strong, supportive social relationships are more likely to have better physical and mental health and to live longer. However, most research has focused on only limited types of social …

MIDUS research has shown that stress, discrimination, poverty, and loneliness are linked to reports of chronic pain. Alternately, supportive families, good sleep, and positive social connections are associated with lower levels of pain. For a …

Research has shown that psychological well-being is important for many aspects of health, including extended longevity. Psychological well-being encompasses both hedonic well-being, which involves feeling happy and satisfied with life, and eudaimonic well-being, which is …

Many people turn to food as a means of coping with stress. However, repeated use of this coping strategy may create a habit that negatively affects health. Research focused on the biological mechanisms behind stress …

Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide and has significant impacts on people’s lives, including contributing to severe, ongoing stress. This study explored the interactions between chronic pain and work-family interactions, given that …

Memory complaints from people who notice they are becoming more forgetful are a growing public health concern, partly because such complaints may be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that stress can …

  Researchers have often examined the cliché “money can’t buy happiness.” Prior findings suggest that having a higher income is associated with greater well-being, at least until the highest income levels are reached. However, research …

Rates of dementia and other cognitive (thinking) disorders, along with aging-related chronic conditions, are expected to significantly increase in coming years, due to ever greater numbers of older people. Rates of depression may also increase, …

Research has shown that poor sleep is a risk factor for developing chronic disease, and that aging often involves a decline in sleep quality and quantity. However, most sleep studies have used a single measure …