title: The nature and cross-domain correlates of subjective age in the oldest old: Evidence from the OCTO Study.
abstract: Self-reflections of age and aging are predictors for key outcomes such as mortality, but little is known about the nature and potential antecedents of subjective age in very old age. We used cross-sectional data from the Swedish OCTO study (N = 267; B. Johansson & S. H. Zarit, 1995) and found that almost two thirds of the 84- to 90-year-olds reported not feeling old. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that younger age and better physical functioning as well as higher well-being and mastery beliefs were all related to not feeling old. In multivariate analyses, however, mastery beliefs emerged as the most consistent and robust predictor of subjective age. Our findings suggest that adaptive capacities may be preserved into advanced age and highlight the pivotal role of perceived control for successful aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. fji102@psu.edu
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Infurna
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gerstorf
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: Stig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Steven H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zarit
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000523:psychology*; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors