Investigating the Daily Relationship Between Subjective Age and Daily Events
2024
Investigating the Daily Relationship Between Subjective Age and Daily Events
Sample size: 108
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Klaiber Patrick, Pauly Theresa
Primary Institution: Tilburg University
Hypothesis
Fluctuations in subjective age predict same-day event engagement and affective responses.
Conclusion
The study found that feeling older than usual is linked to more stressors and lower positive affect, while feeling younger is associated with greater engagement in positive events.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants felt approximately 8 years younger than their chronological age.
- On days when individuals felt older than usual, they reported more stressors and fewer positive events.
- Older subjective age was associated with lower same-day positive affect.
- Feeling older was linked to greater increases in positive affect when positive events occurred.
- Older subjective age was related to greater same-day negative affect.
Takeaway
This study shows that how old people feel can change their daily experiences, like how stressed or happy they feel.
Methodology
The study used 14-day diary data from older Swiss adults to assess subjective age and daily events.
Participant Demographics
Older Swiss adults aged 65-92.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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