scholarly journals LINKS BETWEEN POSITIVE AFFECT AND DISENGAGEMENT FROM NEGATIVE STIMULI IN YOUNGER AND OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S307-S307
Author(s):  
Kathryn L Ossenfort ◽  
Derek M Isaacowitz
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Attentional Disengagement ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Attentional Processes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Negative Stimuli

Abstract Older adults attend to more positive than negative content compared to younger adults; this “age-related positivity” effect is often thought of as a way older adults may be regulating their moods. However, attentional disengagement abilities decline with age, which may make positive looking more challenging for older adults in some cases. To evaluate links between early attentional processes and affect, 48 younger adult and 49 older adult participants reported levels of positive and negative affect on the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and completed a spatial cueing task evaluating attentional orienting and disengagement from emotional stimuli. Participants were tasked with responding to the location of a spatial target after seeing a cue (emotional image) that either appeared on the same (orienting) or opposite (disengagement) side of the screen. Multilevel modeling analyses were conducted using age and self-reported affect from the PANAS as predictors at level-2, and trial characteristics as predictors at level-1. Positive affect (PA) was unrelated to task performance for younger adults. Older adults reporting higher PA responded more slowly overall, and higher PA scores predicted similar response times to positive and negative stimuli on both trial types. Older adults reporting lower PA oriented attention more quickly to positive stimuli, but took longer to disengage from negative. These results suggest that there may be a relationship between the ability to flexibly disengage from negative content and PA for older, but not younger adults, and also highlight the importance of teasing apart specific attentional processes when evaluating positivity effects.

scholarly journals Daily Memory Lapses in Adults: Characterization and Influence on Affect

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Mogle ◽  
Elizabeth Muñoz ◽  
Nikki L Hill ◽  
Joshua M Smyth ◽  
Martin J Sliwinski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Prospective Memory ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
Daily Affect ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective The current analyses examined the impact of daily memory lapses on daily affect and whether this impact varied across age. Method One hundred sixty-six adults (ages 20–79) completed assessments of memory lapses and affect each day for 7 consecutive days. Assessments included retrospective and prospective memory lapses as well as the impact of these lapses (how irritating, interfering, and consequential). Affect was assessed using ratings of daily positive and negative affect. Results Participants reported memory lapses on 33.3% of days. Prospective lapses were consistently rated as more consequential. Regardless of age, participants had significantly lower in positive affect and significantly higher in negative affect on days with a prospective lapse. Effects of retrospective lapses depended on age: compared to older adults, younger adults reported lower positive affect on days with a retrospective lapse. Discussion Previous work on daily memory lapses has focused on prospective lapses. Although retrospective lapses occurred more frequently in this sample, prospective lapses appeared to have a greater impact on daily experiences regardless of age. By measuring daily memory lapses and affect over consecutive days, we can begin to understand how the experience of forgetting impacts individuals at a micro-level.

scholarly journals Association of Affect and Gait Performance in Dual-Task Walking in Non-Demented Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 287-287
Author(s):  
Deepan Guharajan ◽  
Roee Holtzer
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Gait Velocity ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Aging Populations ◽  
Task Conditions

Abstract Aging populations are at increased risk to experience mobility disability, which is associated with falls, frailty, and mortality. Previous studies have not examined the concurrent associations of both positive and negative affect with gait velocity. We examined whether individual differences in positive and negative affect predicted dual-task performance decrements in velocity in a dual-task (DT) paradigm in non-demented older adults. We hypothesize that positive affect would be associated with lower DT costs, and negative affect would be associated with higher DT costs. Participants (N = 403; mean age, = 76.22 (6.55); females = 56%) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) and a DT paradigm that involved three task conditions: Single-Task-Walk (STW), Alpha (cognitive interference requiring participants to recite alternate letters of the alphabet), and Dual-Task-Walk (DTW) requiring participant to perform the two single tasks concurrently. Gait velocity was assessed via an instrumented walkway. As expected, results of a linear mixed effects model (LME) showed a significant decline in gait velocity (cm/s) from STW to DTW (estimate = -11.79; 95%CI = -12.82 to -10.77). LME results further revealed that negative affect was associated with greater decline in gait velocity from STW to DTW (ie., worse DT cost) (estimate = -0.38; 95%CI = -0.73 to -0.03). Positive affect did not, however, predict DT costs in gait velocity (estimate = -0.09; 95%CI = -0.23 to 0.05). These findings suggest that increased negative affect interferes with the allocation of attentional resources to competing task demands inherent in the DT paradigm.

The Association of Positive and Negative Affect and Exercise Self-Efficacy in Older Adults

2003 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn V. Ostir ◽  
Jiska Cohen-Mansfield ◽  
Suzanne Leveille ◽  
Stefano Volpato ◽  
Jack M. Guralnik
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Independent Association

This study investigated whether positive or negative affect has an independent association with exercise self-efficacy. Participants (N= 324) age 75-85 were classified as high or at-risk performers, and three exercise-self-efficacy items (scored 1-10) were assessed. For at-risk performers, positive affect was significantly associated with confidence in the ability to perform strength and flexibility (b= 0.83,SE= 0.23,p= .001) and aerobic exercise (b= 0.59,SE= 0.28,p= .04) and with the perception that exercise would not worsen preexisting symptoms (b= 0.73,SE= 0.24,p= .001). Among high performers, nonsignificant associations were found for positive and negative affect and exercise-self-efficacy. For at-risk performers, higher positive affect was associated with an increased odds ratio of 2.72 for scoring 10 on the muscle strength and flexibility item, 4.08 on the aerobic item, and 2.94 on the item assessing preexisting symptoms. The results suggest that improving at-risk older adults’ positive affect might increase their participation in exercise.

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 Descriptive study of emotional variables elderly people

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-69
Author(s):  
Igone Etxeberria
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Passive Strategies ◽  
Regulation Strategies

Emotional functioning (positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, loneliness and regulation strategies) of centenarians compared to younger adults was analyzed (65-74, 75-84, and 85-94 years old). This study was conducted with 257 older adults cognitively healthy and independent for the performance of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Results showed a decrease in positive affect in comparison with 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 age groups, but not with 85 to 94. Centenarians also showed less negative affect and increased life satisfaction (in comparison with the youngest age group). In comparison with 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 age groups centenarians experimented higher loneliness. In regard to regulation strategies, in general, centenarians use less proactive strategies and problem solving while more passive strategies at least when regulating sadness. In conclusion, despite experiencing less positive affect and a higher loneliness, less negative affect and a higher life satisfaction was observed among centenarians. In addition, centenarians use proactive strategies less and passive strategies more.

scholarly journals Change in Daily Negative Affect Across 20 Years

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 215-215
Author(s):  
Jennifer Piazza ◽  
Jonathan Rush ◽  
Susan Charles
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
National Study ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Daily Experiences ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Time Point

Abstract The current study examined levels of daily NA among people (N=413) who participated in three waves of the National Study of Daily Experiences (~1996; ~2008; ~2017). At each wave, participants reported how often they had experienced six negative emotional experiences every day for eight consecutive days. Cross-sectional analyses at each time-point show age-related decreases in NA. Trajectories over time, however, were moderated by age (Est = .006, SE = .002, p = .001), revealing a curvilinear pattern. Among people who were 25-50 years-old at the first wave, daily NA decreased over time, with decreases more pronounced among the younger adults. For people at least 50 years-old at the start of the study, daily NA increased over time, with the slopes steepest for older adults. Findings indicate that cross-sectional and longitudinal age-related patterns in NA differ when examining data collected from 1996 to 2017.

scholarly journals A New Brief Measure of Executive Function: Adapting the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders Task to Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. e258-e267
Author(s):  
Eric S Cerino ◽  
Karen Hooker ◽  
Robert S Stawski ◽  
Megan McClelland
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Executive Function ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Behavioral Measure ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Background and Objectives Executive function (EF) abilities are recognized as components of cognition most likely to show age-related declines. Measurement of EF in older adults is often computer-based, takes place in a laboratory setting, and thus lacks ecological validity. We sought to investigate a new way of measuring EF in older adults by adapting a brief, behavioral measure of EF in children, the Head-Toes-Knees-Shoulders task (HTKS). Research Design and Methods A sample of 150 community-dwelling older adults (Mean age = 68.55, SD = 6.34) completed the HTKS, NIH Toolbox: Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Results The HTKS showed adequate internal consistency, α = .84. Significant associations between HTKS variables and measures of attention and inhibitory control were robust to the influences of age, processing speed, and subjective health ratings. HTKS completion time exhibited the strongest associations to NIHTB-CB measures, suggesting that the time it takes older adults to complete the HTKS may be a better measure of EF than the total score. Nonsignificant associations between HTKS variables and positive and negative affect demonstrated discriminant validity. Discussion and Implications These results provide initial evidence for use of the HTKS as a brief, low-cost, easy to administer measure of EF in older adults. Further research is needed to determine its potential to identify individuals at risk for poor cognitive outcomes. A brief, valid measure may allow for wider screenings aimed at early intervention, when cognitive interventions are most effective.

Emotion dynamics across adulthood in everyday life: Older adults are more emotionally stable and better at regulating desires

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy A. Burr ◽  
Jaime J. Castrellon ◽  
David Zald ◽  
Gregory Russell Samanez-Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Hallmark Feature

Older adults report experiencing improved emotional health, such as more intense positive affect and less intense negative affect. However, there are mixed findings on whether older adults are better at regulating emotion—a hallmark feature of emotional health—and most research is based on laboratory studies that may not capture how people regulate their emotions in everyday life. We used experience sampling to examine how multiple measures of emotional health, including mean affect, dynamic fluctuations between affective states and the ability to resist desires—a common form of emotion regulation—differ in daily life across adulthood. Participants (N = 122, ages 20-80) reported how they were feeling and responding to desire temptations for 10 days. Older adults experienced more intense positive affect, less intense negative affect and were more emotionally stable, even after controlling for individual differences in global life satisfaction. Older adults were more successful at regulating desires, even though they experienced more intense desires than younger adults. In addition, adults in general experiencing more intense affect were less successful at resisting desires. These results demonstrate how emotional experience is related to more successful desire regulation in everyday life and provide unique evidence that emotional health and regulation improve with age.

scholarly journals Descriptive study of emotional variables elderly people

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-69
Author(s):  
Igone Etxeberria
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Passive Strategies ◽  
Regulation Strategies

Emotional functioning (positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, loneliness and regulation strategies) of centenarians compared to younger adults was analyzed (65-74, 75-84, and 85-94 years old). This study was conducted with 257 older adults cognitively healthy and independent for the performance of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Results showed a decrease in positive affect in comparison with 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 age groups, but not with 85 to 94. Centenarians also showed less negative affect and increased life satisfaction (in comparison with the youngest age group). In comparison with 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 age groups centenarians experimented higher loneliness. In regard to regulation strategies, in general, centenarians use less proactive strategies and problem solving while more passive strategies at least when regulating sadness. In conclusion, despite experiencing less positive affect and a higher loneliness, less negative affect and a higher life satisfaction was observed among centenarians. In addition, centenarians use proactive strategies less and passive strategies more.

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.

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