title: Playfulness over the lifespan and its relation to happiness: results from an online survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Playfulness is an understudied topic in adults and particularly among the elderly. There is no large study to date on age-related changes in playfulness across the lifespan, nor have relations with different indicators of well-being been investigated in much detail as yet.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 4100 adults completed online self-ratings on their playfulness, happiness and Seligman's three orientations to happiness (a pleasurable, engaged and meaningfully fulfilled life).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a cross-sectional design, playfulness was stable across the lifespan; variations in the mean scores were relatively small (half a standard deviation). Yet participants <40 years yielded the comparatively lowest scores. There were no gender differences. Playfulness was best predicted by the scale assessing a pleasurable life and was positively related to happiness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.
authors: Department of Psychology, Division of Personality and Assessment, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestr. 14/7, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland, r.proyer@psychologie.uzh.ch.
authors: R T
authors: RT
authors: Proyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006240:Happiness; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010988:Play and Playthings / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
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