Future-Directed Thinking and Its Relationship to Subjective Well-Being in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 009141501989622
Author(s):  
Holly Corlett ◽  
Andrew K. MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Socioemotional Selectivity ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Negative Thoughts ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Directed Thinking ◽  
Lower Life Satisfaction

Age-related changes in future-directed thinking may be important for well-being. Older and younger adults generated idiographic anticipated experiences for the next week, the next year, and the next 5–10 years, using an adapted fluency measure. Relative to younger adults, older adults maintained a focus on the immediate future but frequency of anticipated events declined for the medium and longer term. The presence of negative thoughts for those two more distant time periods was related to lower life satisfaction in older adults. Content differences in thoughts illustrated the differing concerns of the two groups. The results align broadly with previous findings in the literature on socioemotional selectivity theory.

scholarly journals The Psychological Challenge of Late-Life Vision Impairment: Concepts, Findings, and Practical Implications

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans-Werner Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Body ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Psychological Challenge

The intention is to summarize the body of evidence speaking to the psychological challenges faced by visually impaired older adults, as well as their coping efforts. This evidence is substantiated by a rich set of concepts, theories, and empirical findings that have accumulated under the umbrella of age-related psychoophthalmology (APO). I introduce the field of APO and continue with a discussion of important concepts and theories for a better understanding of adaptational processes in visually impaired older adults. I then summarize the most relevant and most recent data from four areas: (1) everyday competence, (2) cognitive functioning, (3) social functioning, and (4) subjective well-being-related outcomes, depression, and adaptational processes. Thereafter, major insights related to the current state-of-the art psychosocial interventions with visuallyimpaired older adults are reviewed. I close with the need that the public health community should become more aware of and address the psychosocial needs of visually impaired older adults.

scholarly journals Vision Impairment: A Psychological Challenge of the Elderly

2021 ◽  
pp. 330-336
Author(s):  
Dr. Vatika Sibal
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The Body ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Psychological Challenge

Ageing is part of life. With age, the body physically changes and there are psychological challenges are faced by visual impairment. The elderly find it difficult to cope with the changes. The study is substantiated by concepts, theories, and empirical findings that have accumulated under the umbrella of age-related psycho-ophthalmology. The focus is on adaptation theories in visually impaired older adults. One can understand the ageing through everyday competence, cognitive functioning, social functioning, and subjective well-being-related outcomes, depression, and adaptation processes. Thereafter, major insights related to the current state-of-the art psychosocial interventions with visually impaired older adults are reviewed. There is a need of public health community should become more aware of and address the psychosocial needs of visually impaired older adults.

scholarly journals Impact of hearing impairment on psychological distress and subjective well-being in older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmeen Niazi ◽  
Bisma Ejaz ◽  
Amina Muazzam
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of hearing impairment on psychological distress and subjective well-being in older adults with hearing impairment. Methods: The study with cross sectional research design was conducted in three public sector hospitals of Lahore, from February 2017 to June 2017. Participants of the study were adults aged 50-90 years and with hearing impairment, selected through non-probability sampling technique. Demographic Information sheet, Kessler psychological distress scale by Kessler, Mroczek. in 1992 and Satisfaction with life scale by Diener, Emmons, Larsen, Griffin in 1985 were used for data collection. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the data. Results: There were 200 participants with age ranged from 53 to 89 years (M= 65.92, SD= 9.70). Of the total, 100 (50%) subjects were men and 100 (50%) were women. Significant gender differences were found in psychological distress, with men reflecting more symptoms of psychological distress (p<0.01), whereas non-significant gender differences were found in case of subjective well-being (p>0.05). Moreover, psychological distress was observed as a predictor of subjective well-being (p<0.01). One-way analysis of variance revealed insignificant differences of psychological distress and subjective well-being across three levels of hearing impairment. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and rehabilitation of age-related hearing loss improves the overall quality of life of older adults living with hearing impairment. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2457 How to cite this:Niazi Y, Ejaz B, Muazzam A. Impact of hearing impairment on psychological distress and subjective well-being in older adults. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.6.2457 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

scholarly journals Multidimensionality in Developmental Conceptions Across Adulthood

GeroPsych ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maida Mustafić ◽  
Alexandra M. Freund
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Direct Assessment ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Gains And Losses

Two studies demonstrate the usefulness of a newly developed, direct assessment method of subjective conceptualizations of development across adulthood. Results of Study 1 (N = 234, 18–83 years) suggest that older adults anticipate stronger decline in four domains of functioning (subjective well-being, social relationships, cognition, physical functioning) than younger and middle-aged adults. Study 2 (N = 166, 20–85 years) showed that older adults’ conceptualizations show less differentiation across domains than those of younger and middle-aged adults’. Results of both studies confirm lifespan notions of multidirectionality (expectations of gains and losses) but also show age-related differences in multidimensionality of developmental conceptions (i.e., differences in expected trajectories between domains). Moreover, results provide evidence that favorable conceptions impact perceived controllability and actual subjective well-being.

scholarly journals How is personality related to well-being in older and younger adults? The role of psychological flexibility

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 1355-1365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priska Steenhaut ◽  
Gina Rossi ◽  
Ineke Demeyer ◽  
Rudi De Raedt
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Age Related

ABSTRACTObjectives:Personality is known to be a reliable predictor of well-being. However, it is rather difficult to influence the personality of individuals in order to improve their well-being. Therefore, it is important to examine possible underlying mechanisms or indirect effects. Consequently, the aim of the current study was to investigate whether psychological flexibility is a mechanism explaining the relationship between personality and well-being. Given the evidence that age-related differences exist in personality, flexibility, and well-being, we also investigated whether our indirect effects model differed in both older and younger adults.Design:We used a cross-sectional design.Setting:Participants were asked to fill in questionnaires at home.Participants:We recruited 138 younger (25–50 years) and 120 older (65+) adults from a community-dwelling population.Measurements:Self-report questionnaires were used to assess (mal)adaptive personality traits (Big Five), psychological flexibility, and affective and general subjective well-being.Results:Similar indirect effects were found in older and younger adults: Psychological flexibility is a mechanism explaining the link between personality and well-being. In nearly half of the models, psychological flexibility even fully accounted for the effect of personality on well-being.Conclusion:These results have important implications for clinical practice, since psychological flexibility, contrary to personality traits, is malleable. Interventions to increase psychological flexibility already exist and are validated in both older and younger samples. They may hold promise to improve well-being.

scholarly journals EXPLORING OLDER ADULTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF PRESENCE AND IMMERSION IN DIVERSE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S239-S240
Author(s):  
Walter R Boot ◽  
Andrew Dilanchian ◽  
Ronald Andringa
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Video Gaming ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Health And Well Being ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Abstract Virtual Reality (VR) holds great promise for enhancing the health, well-being, and skills of older adults. However, VR solutions must consider the age-related “digital divide;”many older adults have less experience and proficiency with a number of newer technologies, which may serve as a barrier. Older adults especially have less experience with virtual environments, an experience many younger adults have acquired through video gaming. This study compared younger and older adults’ perceptions of immersion and presence in a series of diverse virtual environments using the HTC Vive. Participants experienced a VR meditation task, “indoor" and “outdoor” navigation tasks, and a fast-paced action game. Importantly, younger and older adults reported similarly high experiences of immersion and presence within virtual environments, and contrary to expectations, older adults reported fewer symptoms of cybersickness. Results suggest VR as a promising tool to promote the health and well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals Age and Cognitive Ability Predict Perceived Demands of Specific Emotion Regulation Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 454-455
Author(s):  
Claire Growney ◽  
Tammy English
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Resources ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Perceived Effort ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Specific Emotion

Abstract Certain emotion regulation (ER) strategies are often considered to be more or less demanding of cognitive resources. However, age-related differences in the perceptions of these demands are not yet understood. Older adults might perceive greater demands for certain strategies due to differences in cognitive ability and motivation to maintain emotional well-being. In the present study, we examined age and cognitive ability as predictors of perceived effort required to use ER strategies that span all families of the process model. A diverse sample of community participants (age 22-83) completed assessments of cognitive ability and perceived demands associated with ten ER strategies. Overall, response-focused strategies were rated as highest in demands whereas situation selection and savoring were perceived as least demanding. Older adults reported higher demands associated with situation selection, distraction, and detached reappraisal (but not positive reappraisal) compared with younger adults. Cognitive ability was not associated with perceived demands for ER strategies traditionally viewed as cognitively demanding (e.g., suppression). Rather, higher cognitive ability only predicted lower perceived demands for strategies often considered low in demand: situation selection and savoring. Perceived ER success was not consistently associated with age or cognitive demands. Results suggest that older adults view some, but not all, ER strategies as more demanding than younger adults do. The role of cognitive ability in age-related changes in ER may be more complex than previously expected. Notably, the lack of findings with perceived ER success suggest effort requirements associated with ER may not impede ability to successfully regulate across adulthood.

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 Individual Differences in Habitual Social Goals and Daily Well–Being: The Role of Age and Relationship Closeness

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Nikitin ◽  
Alexandra M. Freund
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Approach And Avoidance ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Approach Goals ◽  
Avoidance Goals

There is a robust evidence that social approach goals (i.e. approach of positive social outcomes) have positive consequences and social avoidance goals (i.e. avoidance of negative social outcomes) have negative consequences for subjective well–being in young adulthood. Little is known about individual differences in social goals in later life. The current diary study with young ( n = 212), middle–aged ( n = 232), and older adults ( n = 229) tested––and supported––the hypotheses that age (i) differentially predicts the strength of habitual approach and avoidance goals in close and peripheral relationships and (ii) moderates the relation of approach and avoidance goals in peripheral (but not close) relationships and daily outcomes (subjective well–being, subjective health, and satisfaction with social encounters). Older adults compared to younger adults reported higher levels of avoidance goals in peripheral (but not close) relationships. Younger adults who reported high levels of approach goals and older adults who reported high levels of avoidance goals in peripheral relationships experienced the most positive daily outcomes. In addition, social goals moderated some of the associations between (positive and negative) daily interactions and daily outcomes. Results underscore the importance of the closeness of social partners for individual differences in social goals across adulthood. © 2019 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals The Interactions Between Cognitive Control, Aging, and Emotion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Truong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Proactive Control ◽  
Reactive Control ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Goal Maintenance ◽  
Age Related

The dual mechanisms of control framework proposes that age-related declines in cognitive control are due to deficits with continuous goal maintenance (proactive control). Older adults default instead to another form of control (reactive control). In contrast to these declines, older adults demonstrate preserved emotional processing. According to the socioemotional selectivity theory, perceived time constraints related to advancing age results in emotional regulation goals in which older adults prioritize positive well-being or mood. To achieve this, they devote more cognitive resources and pay greater attention to positive versus negative information (“positivity effects”) than younger adults. Research on the interactions between cognitive control and emotion is increasing but work focused on the interactions in older adults is limited. Thus, it is unknown how older adults' emotional goals may influence their goal maintenance deficits. This study manipulated mood and emotional face stimuli to examine whether these factors affect age differences in cognitive control between younger (ages 18-30) and older adults (ages 65+). Experiment 1 induced neutral or negative moods prior to a cognitive control task (the standard letter AX-CPT task). Results indicated typical patterns of proactive control in younger adults and reactive control in older adults that did not vary substantially by mood. Experiment 2 examined the effects of neutral, negative, and positive mood inductions on a less cognitively demanding version of the AX-CPT (with face cues as contextual information). Results showed evidence of enhanced proactive control in older adults that was comparable to that of younger adults across all mood conditions, although this was limited to response time data. Additionally, there was evidence of small mood effects on cognitive control. Finally, Experiment 3 examined the effect of positive, negative, and neutral contextual information (face cues) on older adults' cognitive control performance using a different variant of the AX-CPT (face AX-CPT). Results indicated strong engagement in reactive control that did not vary by the emotionality of the contextual information. Together, the results of this study suggest that older adults’ proactive control patterns are affected by the task demands of the AX-CPT, but there is less evidence of mood or emotional stimuli effects.

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