Growth Mind-Set and Healthy Behaviors In Older Adults

ABSTRACT

This study explores the role of a growth mind-set of intelligence in influencing the level of engagement toward healthy behaviors in older individuals, as well as related health outcomes. A sample of 100 healthy older adults joined the study. Their beliefs about intelligence (growth vs. fixed mind-set), general health, cognitive functioning, and level of engagement toward healthy behavior were assessed using four different assessment tools. Data confirmed a significant positive relationship between an intelligence growth mind-set and the willingness to adhere to healthy behaviors. Moreover, results suggest that a growth mind-set of intelligence leads to better physical and cognitive health. This study provides some evidence to support the idea that a growth mind-set can affect the process of becoming older by increasing the willingness to adhere to healthy behaviors. These beliefs could be used to implement better approaches to promote adherence to healthy behaviors in older individuals.

KEYWORDS:

• Growth mind-set
• intelligence
• aging
• healthy behaviors

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2023.2252249

Notes

1. How would you rate the level of satisfaction with your life on a scale from 1 to 7? Seven means that you are extremely satisfied with your life, and 1 means that you are completely unsatisfied.