R T Proyer1. 1. Department of Psychology, Division of Personality and Assessment, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestr. 14/7, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland, r.proyer@psychologie.uzh.ch.
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. PARTICIPANTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.
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. PARTICIPANTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.