How Emotions and Aging Affect Health Choices
Official title: Emotion, Aging, and Decision Making
Funded at De Paul University · NIH-11075860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how feelings and social connections help older adults make healthy choices, especially regarding exercise, and how this might relate to dementia risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | De Paul University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2014 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $539,841 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG043533-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant to older adults, particularly those interested in understanding how emotions and social connections influence their health decisions and physical activity, especially if they have a genetic risk for dementia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not older adults or those not interested in the psychological aspects of health decision-making may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project explores how our emotions and social interactions guide the health decisions we make as we get older. Researchers are particularly interested in how positive feelings, especially when shared with others, can encourage older adults to be more physically active. They will also consider how genetic factors, like the APOE e4 gene linked to Alzheimer's disease, might influence the health benefits older adults get from exercise. The goal is to understand how to best support healthy behaviors in later life to promote overall well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to encourage older adults to make healthier choices and stay active, potentially helping to maintain cognitive and physical health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work by the researchers has shown that positive emotions and social goals can motivate older adults to exercise, suggesting a foundation for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
De Paul University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mikels, Joseph a — De Paul University
- Study coordinator: Mikels, Joseph a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.