title: Secular changes in late-life cognition and well-being: Towards a long bright future with a short brisk ending?
abstract: How sociocultural contexts shape individual functioning is of prime interest for psychological inquiry. Secular increases favoring later-born cohorts in fluid intelligence measures are widely documented for young adults. In the current study, we quantified such trends in old age using data from highly comparable participants living in a narrowly defined geographical area and examined whether these trends would generalize to quality-of-life indicators. To do so, we compared data obtained 20 years apart in the Berlin Aging Study (in 1990-1993) and the Berlin Aging Study II (in 2013-2014), applied a case-matched control design (per cohort, n = 161, Mage = 75), quantified sample selection using a nationally representative sample as the reference, and controlled for number of physical diseases. The later cohort performed better on the fluid intelligence measure (d = .85) and reported higher morale, less negative affect, and more positive affect (ds > .39) than the earlier cohort. We concluded that secular advances have resulted in better cognitive performance and perceived quality of life among older adults and discuss when and how advantages of later cohorts reach their limits.
authors: Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University.
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Gerstorf
authors: Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University.
authors: Gizem
authors: G
authors: Hülür
authors: Institute of Psychology, Humboldt University.
authors: Johanna
authors: J
authors: Drewelies
authors: Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), German Institute for Economic Research.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Eibich
authors: Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Duezel
authors: Research Group on Geriatrics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
authors: Ilja
authors: I
authors: Demuth
authors: Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Ghisletta
authors: Research Group on Geriatrics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Steinhagen-Thiessen
authors: Max Planck Institute for Human Development.
authors: Gert G
authors: GG
authors: Wagner
authors: Center for Lifespan Psychology, Max Planck Institute for Human Development.
authors: Ulman
authors: U
authors: Lindenberger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001604:Berlin; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life