Dana Kotter-Grühn1, Shevaun D Neupert2, Yannick Stephan3. 1. a Department of Psychology & Neuroscience , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA. 2. b Department of Psychology , North Carolina State University , Raleigh , NC , USA. 3. c Department of Sport Sciences, Psychology and Medicine , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Subjective age is an important correlate of health, well-being, and longevity. So far, little is known about short-term variability in subjective age and the circumstances under which individuals feel younger/older in daily life. This study examined whether (a) older adults' felt age fluctuates on a day-to-day basis, (b) daily changes in health, stressors, and affect explain fluctuations in felt age, and (c) the daily associations between felt age and health, stressors, or affect are time-ordered. METHOD: Using an eight-day daily diary approach, N = 43 adults (60-96 years, M = 74.65, SD = 8.19) filled out daily questionnaires assessing subjective age, health, daily stressors, and affect. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective age, health, daily stressors, affect. RESULTS: Intra-individual variability in felt age was not explained by time but by short-term variability in other variables. Specifically, on days when participants experienced more than average health problems, stress, or negative affect they felt older than on days with average health, stress, or negative affect. No time-ordered effects were found. CONCLUSION: Bad health, many stressors, and negative affective experiences constitute circumstances under which older adults feel older than they typically do. Thus, daily measures of subjective age could be markers of health and well-being.
OBJECTIVES: Subjective age is an important correlate of health, well-being, and longevity. So far, little is known about short-term variability in subjective age and the circumstances under which individuals feel younger/older in daily life. This study examined whether (a) older adults' felt age fluctuates on a day-to-day basis, (b) daily changes in health, stressors, and affect explain fluctuations in felt age, and (c) the daily associations between felt age and health, stressors, or affect are time-ordered. METHOD: Using an eight-day daily diary approach, N = 43 adults (60-96 years, M = 74.65, SD = 8.19) filled out daily questionnaires assessing subjective age, health, daily stressors, and affect. Data were analysed using multilevel modelling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective age, health, daily stressors, affect. RESULTS: Intra-individual variability in felt age was not explained by time but by short-term variability in other variables. Specifically, on days when participants experienced more than average health problems, stress, or negative affect they felt older than on days with average health, stress, or negative affect. No time-ordered effects were found. CONCLUSION: Bad health, many stressors, and negative affective experiences constitute circumstances under which older adults feel older than they typically do. Thus, daily measures of subjective age could be markers of health and well-being.
Entities:
Keywords:
affect; health; intra-individual variability; stressors; subjective age
Authors: Maulika Kohli; Lily Kamalyan; Elizabeth C Pasipanodya; Anya Umlauf; Raeanne C Moore; Scott L Letendre; Dilip V Jeste; David J Moore Journal: J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care Date: 2020 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 1.354