OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between flexible goal adjustment and life satisfaction (as an enduring component of subjective well-being) using six-year longitudinal data from a sample of older adults. METHODS: The study included 704 participants aged 63-97 years assessed four times over a six-year period. Simultaneous and lagged models were specified and estimated using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Both simultaneous and lagged coefficients indicated that a high score on flexible goal adjustment significantly predicted subsequent levels of life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: In line with successful aging theory, our findings support the view that the ability to adjust personal goals flexibly is a central resource when unattainable goals are encountered and it contributes to well-being in old age.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between flexible goal adjustment and life satisfaction (as an enduring component of subjective well-being) using six-year longitudinal data from a sample of older adults. METHODS: The study included 704 participants aged 63-97 years assessed four times over a six-year period. Simultaneous and lagged models were specified and estimated using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Both simultaneous and lagged coefficients indicated that a high score on flexible goal adjustment significantly predicted subsequent levels of life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: In line with successful aging theory, our findings support the view that the ability to adjust personal goals flexibly is a central resource when unattainable goals are encountered and it contributes to well-being in old age.
Entities:
Keywords:
aging; flexible goal adjustment; life satisfaction; longitudinal study
Authors: Wouter Schakel; Christina Bode; Peter M van de Ven; Hilde P A van der Aa; Carel T J Hulshof; Gerardus H M B van Rens; Ruth M A van Nispen Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-10-25 Impact factor: 3.240