Christina Bryant1, Bei Bei2, Kim-Michelle Gilson3, Angela Komiti4, Henry Jackson5, Fiona Judd6. 1. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. cbryant@unimelb.edu.au. 2. School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. 3. School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. 4. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. 5. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. 6. Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Little research has examined factors that contribute to the formation of attitudes toward one's own aging. The current study aimed to examine personality as defined by the Five-Factor model of personality as an antecedent of attitudes, while taking into account demographic and health factors known to be relevant to such attitudes. DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants aged 60 years or older (N = 421) were part of a longitudinal study of health and well-being in Australia, and completed a postal survey comprising measures of personality, the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire, the SF-12 health survey, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. RESULTS: Higher levels of neuroticism were associated with less positive attitudes toward old age as a time of psychological growth, and higher extraversion and agreeableness were significant predictors of less negative attitudes toward psychosocial loss. Baseline measures of self-reported mental and physical health, as well as change in those scores, also made significant contributions to attitudes toward aging. IMPLICATIONS: Personality was a significant antecedent of attitudes towards aging, as were mental and physical health. The data highlight the role of potentially modifiable factors, such as mental and physical health. If these factors act as resources that shape an individual's attitudes during the aging process, then one potential foundation for holding positive attitudes to aging is to maintain physical and mental health. This requires interventions and policies that are effective in encouraging health-promoting behaviors.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Little research has examined factors that contribute to the formation of attitudes toward one's own aging. The current study aimed to examine personality as defined by the Five-Factor model of personality as an antecedent of attitudes, while taking into account demographic and health factors known to be relevant to such attitudes. DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants aged 60 years or older (N = 421) were part of a longitudinal study of health and well-being in Australia, and completed a postal survey comprising measures of personality, the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire, the SF-12 health survey, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. RESULTS: Higher levels of neuroticism were associated with less positive attitudes toward old age as a time of psychological growth, and higher extraversion and agreeableness were significant predictors of less negative attitudes toward psychosocial loss. Baseline measures of self-reported mental and physical health, as well as change in those scores, also made significant contributions to attitudes toward aging. IMPLICATIONS: Personality was a significant antecedent of attitudes towards aging, as were mental and physical health. The data highlight the role of potentially modifiable factors, such as mental and physical health. If these factors act as resources that shape an individual's attitudes during the aging process, then one potential foundation for holding positive attitudes to aging is to maintain physical and mental health. This requires interventions and policies that are effective in encouraging health-promoting behaviors.
Authors: Antonella Delle Fave; Marta Bassi; Elena S Boccaletti; Carlotta Roncaglione; Giuseppina Bernardelli; Daniela Mari Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2018-05-28
Authors: Sibila Marques; João Mariano; Joana Mendonça; Wouter De Tavernier; Moritz Hess; Laura Naegele; Filomena Peixeiro; Daniel Martins Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-04-08 Impact factor: 3.390