Health-related possible selves in young and middle adulthood.
The construct of possible selves was used to examine when, in the adult life span, health-related goals become dominant. It was predicted that by middle age most adults would have health-related possible selves and that the strength of self-regulatory variables associated with health-related possible selves would be related to reported health behaviors. Data collected from 171 young and middle-aged adults showed that health-related possible selves become predominant in midlife. In addition, both young and middle-aged adults reported more feared than hoped-for selves in the realm of health. Perceived self-efficacy and number of goal-oriented activities to avoid feared health-relevant selves were significant predictors of health behaviors. Results are discussed in relation to theoretical perspectives on self and health processes over the life span.
Hooker
K
K
Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York 13244-2340.
Kaus
C R
CR
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010553:Personality Development; D012649:Self Concept