scholarly journals Attitudes Toward Aging: A Glance Back at Research Developments Over the Past 75 Years

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1125-1129
Author(s):  
Li Chu ◽  
Jennifer C Lay ◽  
Vivian Hiu Ling Tsang ◽  
Helene H Fung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Attitudes Toward Aging ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Aging Attitudes ◽  
Global Aging

Abstract With global aging, it is crucial to understand how older adults and the process of aging are viewed by members of society. These attitudes can often influence how older adults are treated. Since the Journal of Gerontology was founded, we have gained increasing insights into attitudes toward aging, with several notable research developments, including clearer conceptualization of different types of aging attitudes (e.g., life-domain-specific attitudes and self-perceptions of aging), a wider variety of measurements, better understanding of how different social determinants shape aging attitudes, and more sophisticated investigations of cultural variance and invariance in aging attitudes. In this article, we highlight these major shifts in the field of aging attitudes in the past 75 years, discuss the contributions of these developments, and point to potential future directions.

scholarly journals The Association Between Recent Family Death and Self-Perceptions of Aging Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 450-450
Author(s):  
Shu Xu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Child Death ◽  
Parental Death ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Family Loss

Abstract The loss of a family member may have a significant influence on one’s aging experience in life. Self-perceptions of aging, which are an individual’s beliefs or evaluation of their experiences of aging, have been described as an important factor for one’s health and daily life. However, there is little research on the association between family death and self-perceptions of aging. This study examines the relationships between recent family death, self-perceptions of aging, and gender of the bereaved among middle-aged and older adults. Using nationally representative data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we conducted cross-sectional analysis on adults age 50 years and older (n=1,839). Self-perceptions of aging were accessed by 8 items derived from the Attitudes Toward Own Aging subscale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale and the Berlin Aging Study, and we considered recent family death (i.e., parental death, spousal death, sibling death and child death), as well as gender of the bereaved. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that respondents who experienced recent family death report less positive self-perceptions of aging compared to those who did not experience recent family death (t = 12.40, p < .01). Recent parental death was more negatively related with self-perceptions of aging for bereaved women than for bereaved men (χ2 = 4.28, p < .05). Findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults experiencing recent family loss have less positive self-perceptions of aging, and gender of the bereaved plays an important role in the relationship between parental death and self-perceptions of aging.

scholarly journals The Role of Self-Perceptions of Aging for Recovery of Older Adults After a Hospital Stay

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 588-588
Author(s):  
Anne Blawert ◽  
Ellen Freiberger ◽  
Susanne Wurm
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Physical Function ◽  
Fear Of Falling ◽  
Health Events ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
One Year ◽  
Psychological Pathway

Abstract For older adults, a hospital stay can lead to loss of physical function and frailty. It is therefore important to investigate factors for recovery after hospitalization. Recent studies suggest negative self-perceptions of aging (SPA) as a potential risk factor in the context of serious health events. This ongoing longitudinal study investigates how negative SPA might contribute to worse physical recovery (assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery) after hospital stay in a sample of 244 German adults aged 75 to 96. Preliminary mediation analysis based on available data of the first 50 participants indicate that negative SPA is related to increased fear of falling after 6 months, which predicts worse physical function one year after hospitalization (indirect effect: B = -0.70, SE = 0.41, p = .09). The results stress the importance of SPA for health recovery in old age and introduce fear of falling as a psychological pathway.

scholarly journals Cognitive Interference in the Context of Daily Stressors, Daily Awareness of Age-Related Change, and General Aging Attitudes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica L O’Brien ◽  
Genesis E Torres ◽  
Shevaun D Neupert
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Cognitive Interference ◽  
Stress Effects ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Aging Attitudes ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Abstract Objectives Previous diary work indicates that older people experience more intrusive and unwanted thoughts (i.e., cognitive interference) on days with stressors. We examined additional predictors of daily cognitive interference to enhance understanding of the psychological context surrounding this link. We specifically focused on factors related to subjective experiences of aging based on studies that have related higher stress and impairments in cognition such as executive control processes (working memory) to negative age stereotypes. Consistent with these findings, we generally expected stronger stress effects on cognitive interference when daily self-perceptions of aging (i.e., within-person fluctuations in awareness of age-related losses [AARC losses]) and general aging attitudes (i.e., individual differences in attitudes toward own aging [ATOA]) were more negative. Methods Participants (n = 91; aged 60–80) on Amazon’s Mechanical Turk completed surveys on 9 consecutive days, reporting on their ATOA (Day 1) as well as their stressors, AARC losses, and cognitive interference (Days 2–9). Results Multilevel models showed that people reported more cognitive interference on days with more AARC losses. Individuals with positive ATOA also experienced less cognitive interference on days with more stressors, whereas those with negative ATOA experienced more. Discussion Both individual differences and fluctuating daily perceptions of aging appear to be important for older adults’ cognitive interference. Consistent with other work, positive ATOA protected against daily stressor effects. Further elucidating these relationships can increase understanding of and facilitate efforts to improve (daily) cognitive experiences in older adults.

scholarly journals Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging Play a Significant Role in Predicting Physical Performance among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11151
Author(s):  
Emma Nilsson ◽  
Helena Igelström ◽  
Irene Vikman ◽  
Agneta Larsson ◽  
Mascha Pauelsen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) is associated with various health-related outcomes, including physical performance. No previous study has investigated the potential predictive influence of SPA on physical performance among Swedish community-dwelling older adults. This was a cross-sectional study using a random sample of 153 Swedish community-dwelling individuals aged 70 and older. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, using the subscale “Attitude Towards Own Aging” of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, as a measure of SPA. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was dichotomized and used as the outcome variable. SPA was a significant predictor (OR = 1.546, CI = 1.066–2.243) of physical performance, adjusted for age, cognitive function, and life-space mobility. Further analyses revealed significant sex differences, with SPA not being included in the model for the men whilst it was still a significant predictor (OR = 1.689, CI = 1.031–2.765) of physical performance in the group of women. SPA plays a significant role in predicting physical performance among Swedish community-dwelling older adults. To further clarify this relationship and its consequences, future longitudinal research should focus on the relationship between SPA, physical performance, and fall risk.

Positive, but Not Negative, Self-Perceptions of Aging Predict Cognitive Function Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 009141502091768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellie E. Brown ◽  
Jeehoon Kim ◽  
Tara Stewart ◽  
Erika Fulton ◽  
Anna C. McCarrey
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Neuropsychological Battery ◽  
Short Delay ◽  
Older Adulthood ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Two Measures ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) refer to attitudes about one’s aging process and are linked to physical health and longevity. How SPA correlates with cognitive function in older adulthood is less well known. 136 older adults were administered a multifaceted SPA measure, The Brief Ageing Perceptions Questionnaire (B-APQ), in addition to a demographic form and a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Positive and negative subscales of the B-APQ were correlated with aspects of cognitive function. Regression analyses revealed that only the positive B-APQ subscales predicted mental status ( β = .19, p < .05), short-delay memory ( β = .16, p < .05), processing speed ( β = −.21, p < .05), and two measures of executive function ( β = −.21, p < .01; β = .18, p < .05). This is the first study to demonstrate that positive dimensions of SPA relate to cognitive function in older adulthood.

Gratitude as a Mediator of the Effects of Savoring on Positive Adjustment to Aging

2020 ◽  
pp. 009141502091999
Author(s):  
Fred B. Bryant ◽  
Karen A. Osowski ◽  
Jennifer L. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Aging ◽  
Life Lessons ◽  
Adjustment To Aging

We extended the previous experimental work with older adults by testing mediating variables through which savoring valuable “life lessons” improves attitudes toward aging and boosts well-being. A sample of 202 adults aged 65 or older were randomly assigned to either an experimental condition (in which they reflected on important lessons life had taught them) or a control condition (in which they reflected on their typical morning routine). Contemplating life lessons increased feelings of gratitude, which in turn boosted positive attitudes toward aging, life satisfaction, state hope, and state self-esteem. Additional analyses supported a three-path mediational model, in which reflecting on life lessons increased levels of savoring, which led to greater gratitude, which in turn predicted stronger positive attitudes toward aging, life satisfaction, and hope. We discuss implications of these findings for future research on savoring interventions for older adults and suggest future directions designed to advance understanding of these experimental effects.

scholarly journals Social Relationships and Self-Perceptions of Aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 450-450
Author(s):  
Hanamori Skoblow ◽  
Christine Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Relationship Quality ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Friend Support ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Interpersonal Factors ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Recent research has demonstrated that social relationships are positively associated with self-perceptions of aging (SPA; Santini et al., 2019), although to date, this evidence is cross-sectional. The current study builds on previous work and explores the longitudinal relation between social relationships and SPA, and whether these associations might be buffered by perceived mastery. Using repeated measures data from three waves (2008, 2012, and 2016) of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we examined how relationship quality (i.e., support and strain) influenced self-perceptions of aging among adults aged 65+ (n = 1477). Greater support from friends in 2008 was significantly associated with better SPA in 2016, and this effect was amplified by high levels of mastery in 2012. That is, older adults with high mastery and high friend support reported more positive SPA than individuals with less mastery or friend support, controlling for gender, age, race, education, income, depressive symptoms, self-rated health, and baseline SPA. Relationship quality with spouse, children, and other family members were not significant predictors of SPA, nor did mastery moderate the association between these relationships and SPA. These results provide evidence for the importance of interpersonal factors such as friendship quality and individual factors in understanding older adults’ perceptions of the aging process.

Volunteering, Self-Perceptions of Aging, and Mental Health in Later Life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Huo ◽  
Lisa M Soederberg Miller ◽  
Kyungmin Kim ◽  
Siwei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Panel Model ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Scholars argue that volunteering enhances social, physical, and cognitive activities that are increasingly valued as people age, which in turn improves older adults’ well-being via a host of psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms. This study explicitly tested older adults’ self-perceptions of aging as a mechanism underlying the mental health benefits of volunteering. Research Design and Methods Using 2-wave data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008/2010 for Wave 1 and 2012/2014 for Wave 2), we analyzed reports from a pooled sample of older adults aged 65 or older (N = 9,017). Participants reported on demographic characteristics, volunteer work (did not volunteer, 1–99 h/year, 100+ h/year), self-perceptions of aging, and depressive symptoms. We estimated an autoregressive cross-lagged panel model. Results Volunteering for 100 h or more per year was associated with older adults’ more positive and less negative self-perceptions of aging in the subsequent wave (i.e., 4 years later), which in turn predicted fewer depressive symptoms. Discussion and Implications This study suggests the promising role of volunteering in shaping older adults’ self-perceptions of aging on a sustained basis and refines our understanding of the benefits volunteering brings. Findings shed light on future interventions aimed at improving older adults’ adjustment to age-related changes and lessening ageism in society.

There Is Still Time to Be Active: Self-Perceptions of Aging, Physical Activity, and the Role of Perceived Residual Lifetime Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-815
Author(s):  
Ann-Kristin Beyer ◽  
Maja Wiest ◽  
Susanne Wurm
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Residual Lifetime ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions ◽  
The Relationship

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are a resource in later life. As aging is accompanied with perceptions of the finitude of life, it is assumed that perceived residual lifetime may play a role in the relationship between SPA and health behavior. Among older adults aged 65 years and older, the present study tested whether the relationships between gain- and loss-related SPA and two kinds of physical activity are moderated by perceived residual lifetime. Data were based on 2.367 participants over a 3-year period. Participants with less gain-related SPA were less likely to walk on a regular basis; however, a longer residual lifetime compensated for this negative effect. In addition, participants did sports more often if they not only held less loss-related SPA but also perceived a longer residual lifetime. These results emphasize the importance of perceived residual lifetime in health promotion interventions targeting physical activity in older adults.

Older Adults’ Self-Perceptions of Aging and Being Older: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. e524-e534
Author(s):  
Simone Hausknecht ◽  
Lee-Fay Low ◽  
Kate O’Loughlin ◽  
Justin McNab ◽  
Lindy Clemson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Aging Body ◽  
Perceptions Of Aging ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives Older adults’ self-perceptions of aging and being older can influence well-being and quality of life. This systematic scoping review aimed to map out current research on older adults’ self-perceptions of aging and being older. Research Design and Methods The scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework. A total of 5,037 records were identified (duplicates removed). After screening, a final 148 papers were included. Descriptives, including year of publication, methodology, age, gender, and location of participants, were calculated. Thematic analyses were conducted examining ways in which the topic was conceptualized. Results The most frequent method used in the research was quantitative. Participants were from 38 different countries. There were more female participants than male. Seven themes representing the main research emphasis emerged: attitudes towards one’s own aging (n = 48), aging well (n = 23), aging stereotypes, self-stigma (n = 23), construction of aging identities (n = 22), subjective age (n = 18), the aging body (n = 8), and future self-views (n = 6). Discussion and Implications The research within these themes approach self-perceptions of aging using varying points of reference for what participants compare their age to. The methods used to illicit aging perspectives held their own assumptions about aging.

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