Purpose in life and psychosomatic symptoms among Japanese women at midlife

Abstract

Background: A growing body of literature suggests that purpose in life, a sense that one is moving in a personally meaningful direction, is important in predicting health and longevity. Across the lifespan, a meta-analysis of purpose in life indicates that purpose declines slightly in midlife and the decline becomes stronger in older adulthood. The present study investigated demographic factors associated with purpose in life among Japanese women at midlife, and the relationships between purpose and psychosomatic symptoms. Methods: An online survey was conducted with 900 Japanese women aged 40-60 years (Mean age: 49.15, SD=5.614). Demographics, marital satisfaction, purpose in life (PiL) using the subscale of Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales, anxiety, depressive mood, and somatic symptoms were measured. Findings: ANOVAs revealed that age, income, marital satisfaction, and time spent on community activities showed significantly different PiL scores in the positive direction. Women in managerial positions at work scored higher PiL than those in non-managerial positions, whereas parenting, caregiving, and education showed no significant differences in PiL scores. Finally, women with high PiL scores showed significantly lower scores on anxiety, depressive mood, fatigue, and autonomic stress responses than women with low PiL. Discussion: This preliminary, cross sectional study implies that middle-aged Japanese women who have greater purpose in life are mentally and physically healthier. Future research should investigate factors that can prevent declines of purpose in life from midlife to older adulthood.