title: Does positive affect change in old age? Results from a 22-year longitudinal study.
abstract: The authors examined longitudinal change in positive affect (PA), a component of subjective well-being. Positive affect was assessed with the PA subscale of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977) in a sample of individuals from the PAQUID cohort (n = 3,777; age 62-101 years, M = 75.46, SD = 6.91 at Wave 1) over a period of 22 years (10 waves of data). Latent growth curve modeling was used to assess change in PA. A quadratic latent growth curve was found to characterize the latent growth pattern of PA in our sample, indicating linear change before a decline phase. These results were discussed with reference to the well-being paradox.
authors.affiliation: Psychologie, Santé & Qualité de vie, University of Bordeaux.
authors.forename: Kamel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gana
authors.forename: Yaël
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Saada
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amieva
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction