Off-target verbosity, everyday competence, and subjective well-being.
BACKGROUND
Off-target verbosity (OTV), defined as prolific speech that is lacking in focus, is exhibited by relatively few older adults, but increases in prevalence with age.


OBJECTIVE
The hypothesis that a high level of OTV is associated with declining competence in other aspects of everyday life was examined in 142 older adults, previously screened for the level of OTV. Competence was assessed based on self-reported changes since age 50 years in quality and quantity of engagement in eleven domains of instrumental and voluntary activities of everyday life.


RESULTS
Path models indicated that a high level of OTV was associated with a decreased competence in everyday activities and was indirectly linked, through competence, with lower well-being and greater loneliness. With competence level controlled, a high level of OTV directly predicted less loneliness.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the hypothesis that a high level of OTV is symptomatic of a more general decline in competence and of less successful aging. However, a high level of OTV also entails a strong motivation for talking to others and thus may offer protection against loneliness.
Centre for Research in Human Development, Concordia University, Montreal, Que., Canada. arbmaag@rogers.com
Tannis Y
TY
Arbuckle
Dolores
D
Pushkar
Sylvie
S
Bourgeois
Lucie
L
Bonneville
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008132:Loneliness; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012944:Social Support; D014705:Verbal Behavior