World benevolence beliefs and well-being across the life span.
Do people's worldviews change across the life course? Beliefs in the benevolence (goodness) of the world and their relations with age and well-being were examined in a 2-year study of a nationally representative sample (N = 2,138) ranging in age from 18 to 101 years. Multilevel modeling analyses controlling for demographics, mental health history, prior experience with stressful life events, and other key beliefs indicated that benevolence beliefs were positively associated with well-being and that these associations were stronger with increasing age. Analyses also demonstrated that individuals' benevolence beliefs increased during the study, were positively associated with age, and increased with the experience of bereavement, although they declined with the experience of other negative events. Age-related worldview change may be a part of life-span adaptation.
Poulin
Michael
M
Center for Behavioral and Decision Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan, Michigan, USA.
Cohen Silver
Roxane
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001290:Attitude; D003469:Culture; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology; D012924:Social Conditions; D013694:Temperament; D014481:United States