Effectiveness Of Internal Dominant Focus On Positivity And Mindfulness For Reducing Anxiety In Senior Adults: A Correlational And Regression Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the comparative and predictive impact of positive thinking and mindfulness on anxiety levels in older adults aged 65 and above. Drawing from a primary survey of 385 participants, including 110 senior adults, a series of mean-variance, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictive strength of internal dominant focus (IDF) on positivity and mindfulness in relation to anxiety. The results revealed that IDF on Positivity was the strongest and most consistent predictor of reduced anxiety, with a correlation coefficient of r = –0.82, a predictive value (R² = 0.67) 67 % and a per unit variance of -3 percent reduction in anxiety with each unit of increase in positive focus, regression coefficient (B) of –3.18 (p < .001).  Mindfulness impacted variance in anxiety by 41 %, (R² = 0.41) in this study, with a moderate correlation (r = –0.657)) and a weaker yet significant per unit variance of (B coefficient = –2.59). The combined IDF score (positivity + mindfulness) produced a strong correlation (r = -0.817) and a regression R² of 0.66, indicating that 66% of anxiety variation can be predicted by internal focus on positivity and mindfulness.  These findings suggest that practicing positivity, seeing the silver lining, cultivating gratitude, and reinforcing optimism, is crucial for maintenance of mental & physical health in older adults. When combined with mindfulness, which fosters detachment from negativity and promotes present-moment awareness, these traits not only reduce anxiety by up to 82%, but also support healthy longevity, potentially increasing life expectancy beyond 85 years (Steptoe, Deaton, & Stone, 2015). Key words: Clinical psychology, geriatric psychiatry, community psychiatry, depression, quantitative & qualitative