Self-perceptions of aging: do subjective age and satisfaction with aging change during old age?
The present study examined time-related change in felt age, physical age, and satisfaction with aging in old age and covariates of this change. Using 6-year-longitudinal data from the Berlin Aging Study (age range = 70-104 years), we found that individuals' felt age remained on average about 13 years below their actual age over time, whereas they reported a decreasing discrepancy between physical and actual age and a decrease in aging satisfaction over time. After we controlled for level differences, a differential pattern of individual differences in change appeared for the three dimensions: Age contributed to a greater decline in aging satisfaction but an increase in the discrepancy of felt age. A higher number of illnesses at baseline attenuated change in felt age discrepancy. Future research on change of self-perceptions of aging will provide insight into mechanisms of resilience of the aging self in later life.
Kleinspehn-Ammerlahn
Anna
A
Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195 Berlin, Germany. kleinspehn@mpib-berlin.mpg.de
Kotter-Grühn
Dana
D
Smith
Jacqui
J
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001604:Berlin; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D013997:Time Factors