Self-perception and psychological well-being: the benefits of foreseeing a worse future.
This study examined whether having a negative expectation of the future may protect well-being in old age. Participants were 200 adults age 60 years or older who rated their current and future selves in the physical and social domains at 2 time points over a 12-month period. Structural equation modeling revealed that future self was positively related to well-being concurrently; yet, it was negatively related to well-being 12 months later, after the authors had controlled for symptoms and current self. Moreover, individuals who underestimated their future selves had higher well-being 12 months later than did those who overestimated their future selves. Findings are interpreted in a framework of discounting: Older adults may actively construct representations of the future that are consistent with the normative age-related declines and losses, so that the effects of these declines and losses are lessened when they actually occur.
Cheng
Sheung-Tak
ST
Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong. tak.cheng@cityu.edu.hk
Fung
Helene H
HH
Chan
Alfred C M
AC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001240:Aspirations, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003469:Culture; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012649:Self Concept; D012718:Set, Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment