Hope for the best, prepare for the worst? Future self-views and preparation for age-related changes.

Abstract

Extending research on the impact of views on aging and developmental regulation across the life span, we tested the hypothesis that more positive views of oneself as an older person predict more preparation for age-related changes. Drawing on recent evidence regarding the domain specificity of aging-related developmental processes, we assumed this relationship to be moderated by the relevance of preparation in different life domains for different age groups. We investigated these research questions in a longitudinal study that assessed future self-views and preparation for different life domains in a sample covering a large part of the adult life span. Findings supported our hypotheses: More positive/negative personal views of one's own aging at T1 predicted subsequent increases/decreases in preparation, with influences being strongest for those domains in which relevant age-related changes are expected to occur for the respective age groups. Our study provides additional evidence for the idea that views on aging shape development, identifying age-related provision making as an important mediating process. Furthermore, our findings highlight the added value of a domain-specific approach that takes the differential relevance of life domains and age-related developmental tasks into account.

Relations between views on ageing and perceived age discrimination: a domain-specific perspective

“…Most important is the finding that the domain-specific perceived age discrimination in the domains of work, medical care, and social life were specifically predicted by views on ageing that refer to similar domains and attributes (personal competence for the work domain, physical attributes for the health care domain, and social attributes for the social domain). These results extend previous findings that domain-specific views on ageing predict behaviours and life events in related life domains (Kornadt et al 2015b).…”

“…Importantly, drawing on the previous findings that domain-specific views on ageing unfold their strongest impact in matching domains (Levy and Leifheit-Limson 2009; see also Kornadt et al 2015b), we predict similar domain-specific relations.…”

Self‐perceptions of aging mediate the longitudinal relationship of hopelessness and depressive symptoms

“…An additional limitation is the lack of information regarding mechanisms by which SPA mediates the relationship between hopelessness and depressive symptoms. Other studies have suggested that older adults with negative SPA perceive less control, feel less productive and useful, and engage in fewer health and other activities …”

“…For example, negative SPA have been predicted by greater neuroticism, lower extraversion, and greater rigidity . Other domains of individual differences have also been found to correlate with SPA, including a measure of hope that involves perceived goal‐pursuit abilities, loss of control, level of productivity and perceived usefulness on a daily level, and preparing for the future …”

“…21 Other domains of individual differences have also been found to correlate with SPA, including a measure of hope that involves perceived goalpursuit abilities, 25,26 loss of control, 17 level of productivity and perceived usefulness on a daily level, 27 and preparing for the future. 28 Three studies examined SPA as a mediator between personality or social characteristics and depressive symptoms, all using longitudinal data from the US Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Han and Richardson 15 found that participants who reported more age discrimination had lower SPA 4 years later, which predicted worse depressive symptoms at the second time point.…”