Longitudinal change in happiness during aging: the predictive role of positive expectancies.

This study employed hierarchical linear modeling to document the time course of happiness across 20 years from average ages of 66 to 86 among 717 members of the Terman Study of the Gifted. In addition, the study examined the role of positive expectancies about aging, assessed at an average age of61, in enhancing happiness in aging. The results showed a small decline in happiness over time. Higher age was associated with less happiness at baseline and with a greater decline in happiness. At the same time, the general level of happiness in this sample was moderately high, with a large majority of respondents relatively happy into later aging. Moreover, positive expectancies about aging, assessed at an average age of 61, predicted greater happiness at ages 70, 75, and 80. These results held controlling for prior happiness, as well as for prior self-rated health and income.