{"title":"Conceptions of aging and beliefs about how one's life is unfolding over time: A lifespan developmental perspective.","authors":"Michael A Busseri","doi":"10.1037/pag0000854","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present study examined beliefs about how one's life satisfaction is unfolding over time in relation to conceptions of aging in an online American adult lifespan sample (<i>N</i> = 882; <i>M</i><sub>age</sub> = 47.89, <i>SD</i> = 15.30, range = 19-84 years; 56% female). Single-item and multi-item ratings of recollected past, current, and anticipated future life satisfaction were employed, along with subjective perceptions of change in life satisfaction over time. Person-centered (latent profile) analysis identified distinct linear and nonlinear patterns of beliefs concerning past-current and current-future changes in life satisfaction: improve-improve, stable-stable, worsen-worsen, and worsen-improve. Multiple facets of conceptions of aging were assessed, including subjective perceptions of age (chronological vs. felt and desired age); attitudes toward, experiences of, and expectations concerning aging; future time perspective; and goal orientations (growth, maintenance, prevention of losses). Multinomial logistic regression models identified unique facets of conceptions of aging characterizing the four profiles. In general, individuals reporting a distinct profile conveying the belief that one's life was improving (vs. worsening) over time were characterized by more positive conceptions of aging. Further, conceptions of aging partially explained the link between chronological age and the belief that one's life is getting worse and worse (vs. better and better). Thus, the present work provides new insights into how age and conceptions of aging may shape the directions and patterns with which individuals view their lives to be unfolding over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":48426,"journal":{"name":"Psychology and Aging","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Psychology and Aging","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000854","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/9/30 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GERONTOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The present study examined beliefs about how one's life satisfaction is unfolding over time in relation to conceptions of aging in an online American adult lifespan sample (N = 882; Mage = 47.89, SD = 15.30, range = 19-84 years; 56% female). Single-item and multi-item ratings of recollected past, current, and anticipated future life satisfaction were employed, along with subjective perceptions of change in life satisfaction over time. Person-centered (latent profile) analysis identified distinct linear and nonlinear patterns of beliefs concerning past-current and current-future changes in life satisfaction: improve-improve, stable-stable, worsen-worsen, and worsen-improve. Multiple facets of conceptions of aging were assessed, including subjective perceptions of age (chronological vs. felt and desired age); attitudes toward, experiences of, and expectations concerning aging; future time perspective; and goal orientations (growth, maintenance, prevention of losses). Multinomial logistic regression models identified unique facets of conceptions of aging characterizing the four profiles. In general, individuals reporting a distinct profile conveying the belief that one's life was improving (vs. worsening) over time were characterized by more positive conceptions of aging. Further, conceptions of aging partially explained the link between chronological age and the belief that one's life is getting worse and worse (vs. better and better). Thus, the present work provides new insights into how age and conceptions of aging may shape the directions and patterns with which individuals view their lives to be unfolding over time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
期刊介绍:
Psychology and Aging publishes original articles on adult development and aging. Such original articles include reports of research that may be applied, biobehavioral, clinical, educational, experimental (laboratory, field, or naturalistic studies), methodological, or psychosocial. Although the emphasis is on original research investigations, occasional theoretical analyses of research issues, practical clinical problems, or policy may appear, as well as critical reviews of a content area in adult development and aging. Clinical case studies that have theoretical significance are also appropriate. Brief reports are acceptable with the author"s agreement not to submit a full report to another journal.