title: Exploring the relation between positive emotions and the functional status of older adults living independently: a systematic review.
abstract: Literature suggests that positive emotions positively influence physiological parameters but their relation to functioning in the daily life of older adults living independently remains unclear. The present work aims to investigate the relation between positive emotions and functional status in daily life of older people living independently.
  
  
  
  A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus electronic databases. Included works were peer-reviewed empirical studies that analysed the relation between positive emotions and ability to perform activities of daily living with older adults living independently.
  
  
  
  After removal of duplicates, 10 out of 963 papers met the inclusion criteria. Cross-sectional studies (n = 6) provided limited evidence about a relation between positive emotions and functioning in daily life. However, longitudinal studies (n = 4) provide significant evidence for an interaction between the two factors, suggesting that time influences this interaction.
  
  
  
  The variety on the design and samples of the studies included in this review does not allow a cohesive conclusion of the results. Nevertheless, limited evidence suggests that higher frequency in the experience of positive emotions might be associated with lower functional limitations. The issue of causality in emotions-functioning remains unclear from the review. Further observational studies are highly recommended, supported by innovative technologies.
authors.affiliation: a Roessingh Research and Development, Telemedicine Group , Enschede , The Netherlands.|b Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Telemedicine Group , University of Twente , Enschede , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-6757-9406
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabrita
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology, Health and Technology , University of Twente , Enschede , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sanne M A
authors.initials: SMA
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology, Health and Technology , University of Twente , Enschede , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hester R
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4518-6999
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Trompetter
authors.affiliation: a Roessingh Research and Development, Telemedicine Group , Enschede , The Netherlands.|b Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Telemedicine Group , University of Twente , Enschede , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Monique
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-5082-1112
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabak
authors.affiliation: a Roessingh Research and Development, Telemedicine Group , Enschede , The Netherlands.|b Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Telemedicine Group , University of Twente , Enschede , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Miriam M R
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8372-3022
authors.initials: MMR
authors.lastname: Vollenbroek-Hutten
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Positive psychology; active aging; activities of daily living; functioning; technology