scholarly journals Interpersonal Interactions and Affect in Daily Life Among Midlife and Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 773-773
Author(s):  
Robert Stawski ◽  
Dakota Witzel ◽  
Madeline Nichols ◽  
Susan Charles
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Study ◽  
Interpersonal Interactions ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Diary Studies

Abstract Theories of age and emotional wellbeing posit that older age is associated with better affective well-being through avoidance or minimization of distressing experiences and prioritizing positive experiences and emotions. To test these theories, researchers have examined change in affect (i.e., reactivity) associated with negative interpersonal experiences in daily diary studies, given the compromising effects these interpersonal stressors exert on daily affect. In contrast, age differences in the potential affect-enhancing effects of positive interpersonal experiences have been comparatively neglected. Using the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences, we evaluated age differences in the frequency of daily negative and positive interpersonal interactions, as well as the affective responses to these interpersonal interactions. Positive and negative affect, as well as negative and positive interpersonal interactions were assessed on eight consecutive evenings. Analyses included 818 participants (Mage=53.3, SD=11.8, Range=34-83; 60% female) who experienced both negative and positive interpersonal interactions during the 8-day protocol. Preliminary results revealed increased frequency of negative interpersonal interactions and decreased frequency of positive interpersonal interactions with age (ps<.01). Further, negative interpersonal interactions were associated with increases in negative affect and decreases in positive affect (ps<.01), while positive interpersonal interactions were associated only with increased positive affect (p<.01). Finally, modest evidence of age-related reductions in the affective impact of negative, but not positive, interpersonal interactions emerged (p=.03). Discussion will focus on how studies of interpersonal interactions in daily life can inform theories of aging and promote emotional wellbeing throughout adulthood and later life.

scholarly journals AGE DIFFERENCES IN CONCORDANCE BETWEEN LAB AND DAILY LIFE STRESS RESPONSES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S741-S741
Author(s):  
Gloria Luong ◽  
Carla M Arredondo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Stress Responses ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Stress Reactivity ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Affect Reactivity ◽  
Interpersonal Stressors

Abstract The literature is mixed with respect to how stress reactivity changes with age. Previous studies have overlooked contexts, ignoring whether stressors occurred in the laboratory or in daily life. The Health and Daily Experiences (HEADE) study includes 126 younger and older adults who completed both laboratory stressors and ecological momentary assessments (EMA) of affect and stressor experiences in daily life. We found that the laboratory stressor elicited the greatest levels of negative affect reactivity (i.e., larger increases in negative affect) and positive affect reactivity (i.e., larger reductions in positive affect) compared to the two types of daily life stressors. Interpersonal stressors were associated with greater negative and positive affect reactivity compared to non-interpersonal stressors in daily life. Younger adults exhibited greater stress reactivity than older adults. Together, these findings support age-related reductions in stress reactivity. Implications for understanding stressor-health links are discussed.

scholarly journals Stability and change in well-being among middle-aged and older Japanese

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-88
Author(s):  
Takeshi Nakagawa ◽  
Yukiko Nishita ◽  
Chikako Tange ◽  
Makiko Tomida ◽  
Kaori Kinoshita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Middle Age ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Changes

Prior evidence suggests that subjective well-being (SWB) remains relatively stable across adulthood. However, longitudinal evidence is sparse except in Western societies such as North America and Western Europe. We examined age-related changes in SWB (life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) among middle-aged and older Japanese. We applied multilevel growth models to 14-year seven-wave longitudinal data of a dynamic cohort study. A total of 3,890 participants aged 40–81 at first assessment were included in the analysis. The longitudinal results demonstrated differential trajectories of SWB. Life satisfaction exhibited an accelerated increase in middle age but decreased and leveled off in old age. Positive affect increased in midlife and declined in late life. Negative affect remained stable in middle age but increased in old age. Demographics, health, and methodological correlates did not fully account for age-related changes in SWB. Of note, increases in negative affect in old age remained evident even after controlling for the correlates. In conclusion, life satisfaction was stable across adulthood, which was not the case with positive and negative affect. We discussed the possible mechanisms in these observed trajectories of SWB, in particular, negative affect in late life.

scholarly journals The Stress-Buffering Effect of Daily Physical Activity on Negative and Positive Affect

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 405-405
Author(s):  
Sun Ah Lee ◽  
Susanna Joo ◽  
Kayeon Lee ◽  
Hye Won Chai ◽  
Hey Jung Jun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Study ◽  
Stress Buffering ◽  
Daily Experiences

Abstract Previous studies show that physical activity is beneficial for emotional well-being. This study extends prior research by examining whether engagement in physical activity moderates the association between daily stressor severity and daily emotional well-being. We used data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences, a sub-project of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study. Respondents (N = 1,851; ages 33 to84) reported their daily experiences across eight consecutive days. Multilevel models explored concurrent and lagged interaction effects between daily stressor severity and physical activity on negative and positive affect and whether these associations differed by age. Physical activity was measured by engagement in vigorous physical activity for at least 30 minutes. Results showed significant interactions between stressor severity and physical activity on same-day negative and positive affect. Specifically, stressor severity was associated with smaller elevation in daily negative affect on physically active days (b = 0.08, p < 0.001) compared to non-active days (b = 0.11, p < 0.001). Reductions in daily positive affect were greater on physically inactive days (b = -0.11, p < 0.001) compared to active days (b = -0.08, p < 0.001). These associations did not differ by age, but additional findings revealed that stressor severity was associated with greater elevation in negative affect among younger respondents (b = 0.12, p < 0.001) than older adults (b = 0.10, p < 0.001). These results highlight the importance of engagement in physical activity for emotional well-being under stressful situations in daily context.

scholarly journals The age and subjective well-being paradox revisited:A multidimensional perspective

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Hansen ◽  
Britt Slagsvold
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Age Variations ◽  
Young Old

This study re-examines the much-discussed paradox that although aging is associated with declines in many life domains, overall subjective well-being does not appear to decline sharply with age. We use data from two waves of the Norwegian NorLAG study (age 40-85, n=3,750) and examine age differences in change in well-being outcomes (life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and depression) and factors that may account for age variations in such change. Outcomes show stability well into older age, but negative changes in advanced age, cross-sectionally or longitudinally. Life satisfaction and negative affect are adversely related to older age longitudinally, whereas positive affect and depression are adversely related to older age in the cross-section. Results are similar for men and women. Loss of health and partner are the main causes of declining well-being in older age. Findings suggest qualifications to the “well-being paradox”, e.g.: only some dimensions of SWB remain stable, while others decline; across dimensions SWB change is more negative in old-old than in young-old age.

scholarly journals The Ups and Downs of Daily Life During COVID-19: Age Differences in Affect, Stress, and Positive Events

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Klaiber ◽  
Jin H Wen ◽  
Anita DeLongis ◽  
Nancy L Sin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Daily Stressors ◽  
Positive Events ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Affective Reactivity ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Objectives Past research has linked older age with greater emotional well-being and decreased reactivity to stressors, but it is unknown whether age-related advantages in emotional well-being are maintained in the wake of COVID-19. We examined age differences in exposure and affective reactivity to daily stressors and positive events in the first several weeks of the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods In March and April 2020, 776 adults from Canada and the United States aged 18–91 (mean age 45) years reported COVID-19 threats at baseline, then completed nightly surveys for 1 week about their daily stressors, positive events, and affect. Results Younger age predicted more concerns about the threat of COVID-19 across multiple domains, in addition to lower positive affect, higher negative affect, and less frequent positive events. Younger adults had more non-COVID-19 daily stressors and higher perceived control over stressors, but lower perceived coping efficacy than older adults. There were no age differences in the frequency of COVID-19 daily stressors nor perceived stressor severity. Younger adults had greater reductions in negative affect on days when more positive events occurred and greater increases in negative affect on days when non-COVID-19 stressors occurred. Age moderation was attenuated for negative affective reactivity to COVID-19 stressors. Age did not moderate positive affective reactivity to daily events. Discussion In the early weeks of the pandemic, older adults showed better emotional well-being and less reactivity to stressors but did not differ from younger adults in their exposure to COVID-19 stressors. Additionally, younger adults benefited more from positive events.

scholarly journals How We Experience Being Alone: Age Differences in Affective and Biological Correlates of Momentary Solitude

Gerontology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Pauly ◽  
Jennifer C. Lay ◽  
Urs M. Nater ◽  
Stacey B. Scott ◽  
Christiane A. Hoppmann
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Adult Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Adult Life Span ◽  
High Arousal ◽  
Handheld Device

Background: Spending time alone constitutes a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives. As we get older, alone time increases. Less is known, however, about age differences in the experience of spending time alone (momentary solitude). Objectives: We examined time-varying associations between momentary solitude, affect quality, and two hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity markers [salivary cortisol; dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAs)] to better understand the affective and biological correlates of momentary solitude across the adult life span. Method: A total of 185 adults aged 20-81 years (mean age = 49 years, 51% female, 74% Caucasian) completed questionnaires on momentary solitude (alone vs. not alone) and current affect on a handheld device, and provided concurrent saliva samples up to seven times a day for 10 consecutive days. Data were analyzed using multilevel models, controlling for the overall amount of time participants spent alone during the study (overall solitude). Results: Greater overall solitude was associated with decreased average high arousal positive affect and increased average cortisol and DHEAs levels. Momentary solitude was associated with reduced high arousal positive affect, increased low arousal positive affect, and increased low arousal negative affect. Age by momentary solitude interactions indicate that greater age was associated with increased high arousal positive affect and reduced low arousal negative affect during momentary solitude. Furthermore, momentary solitude was associated with increased cortisol and DHEAs. With greater age, the association between momentary solitude and cortisol weakened. Conclusion: Consistent with the negative connotations to loneliness and objective social isolation, greater overall solitude was associated with negative affective and biological correlates. Spending a large overall amount of time alone in old age might thus have negative ramifications for health and well-being. Momentary solitude, in contrast, can be a double-edged sword as evidenced by both positive and negative well-being implications. Importantly, greater age is linked to more favorable affective and biological correlates of momentary solitude. The momentary state of spending time alone is thus an experience that is not necessarily negative and that may improve with aging.

scholarly journals Stress Processes Over 2 Decades: Findings From the National Study of Daily Experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 214-215
Author(s):  
David Almeida ◽  
Daniel Mroczek
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
National Study ◽  
Stress Process ◽  
Daily Stressors ◽  
Daily Stress ◽  
Daily Diaries ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Daily experiences of stress and the associated sequelae of affective and physiological changes represent the multiple dimensions of a complex, time-dependent process of how stressors unfold in daily life. Daily diaries capture these time-sensitive processes as they occur under real world conditions. Longitudinal changes in stress processes can then be tracked using a measurement burst design: daily diaries repeated longitudinally. Using this design, the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE) has generated more than 35,000 days of data from a national sample of over 2,500 adults assessed repeatedly across 20 years of adulthood. The NSDE features details of more than 10,000 reports daily stress including exposure, appraisal and affective responses from adults ranging in age from 24 to 95 years. The current symposium leverages this unique and influential dataset to examine age differences and aging-related changes in daily stress processes with four presentations from the NSDE. First, Dr. Robert Stawski will discuss longitudinal change and age-related differences in exposure to multiple types of daily stressors. Next, Dr. Susan Charles will examine age differences and change in a key element of the stress process: negative affect. Third, Dr. Eric Cerino will describe longitudinal change in appraisals of daily stressors focusing on stressor control. Finally, Dr. David Almeida will examine changes in negative affect reactivity to daily stressors across the 20 years of the NSDE. Dr. Dan Mroczek will discuss the picture these presentations provide of how aging and age-differences impact the daily stress process and future directions for understanding these trajectories.

scholarly journals Workplace Prosocial Activities and Daily Well-Being During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 546-546
Author(s):  
Laura Carstensen ◽  
Kevin Chi
Keyword(s):  
Positive Affect ◽  
Age Differences ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Separate Sample ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Wealth Management

Abstract Workplace prosocial activities, such as providing unpaid assistance to colleagues, has been linked to better well-being. However, little is known about how these associations unfold in daily life. This study examines how prosocial activities at work are associated with daily well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. A sample of 22 employees (aged 22-69 years) from a wealth management firm reported their daily activities and well-being on 10 consecutive workdays. On days when individuals provided help to someone they work with, they experienced higher positive affect, and greater enjoyment and interest at work, compared to days when they did not provide help. Individuals who provided more help reported greater meaning at work. Initial findings suggest that workplace prosocial activities have positive implications for daily well-being during the pandemic. Subsequent analyses will examine whether these findings replicate in a separate sample of working adults. Age differences in helping and meaning will be discussed.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ON DAILY SUPPORT TO FAMILY AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN ADULTHOOD

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S235-S235
Author(s):  
Jooyoung Kong ◽  
Yin Liu ◽  
David Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Study ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Adverse Childhood ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Extensive evidence suggests that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to negative health effects across a lifetime. This study examines the impact of ACEs on the frequency of providing daily support (i.e., unpaid assistance, emotional support, and disability-related assistance) to family members and the moderating effects of ACEs in the association between providing daily support to family and daily negative affect. Using the National Study of Daily Experiences II, we analyzed a total of 14,912 daily interviews from 2,022 respondents aged 56 on average. Key results showed that a greater number of ACEs were associated with providing more frequent emotional support to family. We also found the significant interaction effect that adults with more ACEs showed greater negative affect on the days when they provided assistance to family members with disabilities. The findings underscore the long-term negative impact of ACEs on daily well-being in the context of family relationships.

scholarly journals Loving Others: The Impact of Compassionate Love on Later-Life Psychological Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 480-481
Author(s):  
Eva Kahana ◽  
Tirth Bhatta ◽  
Boaz Kahana ◽  
Nirmala Lekhak
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Compassionate Love ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Existing scholarship in social gerontology has surprisingly paid little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later life psychological well-being. This study examined the influence of feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others on later life psychological well-being. We conducted a 3-wave longitudinal study of a representative sample of 340 ethnically heterogeneous community dwelling older residents of Miami, Florida. The increase in feeling of being loved (β=-1.53, p<0.001) and love for others (β=-1.43, p<0.001) led to decline in odds of reporting greater level of depressive symptoms over time. The odds of reporting higher level of positive affect were significantly greater for older adults who reported feeling loved by others (β=1.16, p<0.001) and expressed love for other people (β=1.18, p<0.01). Older adults who felt loved had 0.92-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower level of love. The impact of compassionate love on depressive symptoms and negative affect remained statistically significant even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. The influence of loving emotions on positive affect was, however, explained by altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving love for the maintenance of later life psychological well-being. We offer support for the expectation that love is a significant force in the lives of older adults that transcends intimate relationships.

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