Affective and Cognitive Consequences of Perceiving Daily Expectations for Active Aging
2024

Understanding Daily Expectations for Active Aging

Sample size: 93 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Maria Wirth, Klaus Rothermund

Primary Institution: Friedrich Schiller University Jena

Hypothesis

How do perceived expectations for active aging affect older adults' emotional well-being and sense of age?

Conclusion

Older adults who perceive higher expectations for active aging tend to report more positive feelings and a younger subjective age.

Supporting Evidence

  • Daily perceived expectations for active aging varied among individuals and across days.
  • Higher daily perceived expectations were associated with increased positive affect.
  • There was no relationship between daily perceived expectations and negative affect.
  • On days with higher perceived expectations, individuals reported feeling younger.

Takeaway

This study looked at how older people feel about being expected to stay active. When they felt more pressure to be active, they felt happier and younger.

Methodology

A 14-day diary pilot study assessing daily perceived expectations for active aging and their relation to affect and subjective age.

Participant Demographics

Participants were older adults aged 50-84, with an average age of 65.40.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1736

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication