Arthur A Stone1, Stefan Schneider2, Joan E Broderick3. 1. Dornsife Center for Self-Report Science, United States; Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, United States. Electronic address: arthur.stone@usc.edu. 2. Dornsife Center for Self-Report Science, United States. Electronic address: schneids@usc.edu. 3. Dornsife Center for Self-Report Science, United States. Electronic address: jebroder@usc.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Although there is evidence that evaluative subjective well-being (e.g., life satisfaction) shows a U-shaped pattern with highest satisfaction in the youngest and oldest years and lowest in the middle years of adulthood, much less is known about experiential well-being. We explore a negative indicator of experiential well-being (perceived stress), examine its association with age, and explore possible determinants of the age pattern. METHODS: Using Gallup-Healthways survey data of over 1.5 million U.S. respondents, we analyzed a question asking about stress yesterday and demographic determinants of the pattern. To confirm this pattern, data on stress was analyzed from the American Time Use Survey and data on distress was analyzed from the Health and Retirement Survey. RESULTS: We show that ratings of daily, perceived stressfulness yield a paradox, with high levels from the 20's through about age 50, followed by a precipitous decline through the 70's. Data from the other two surveys confirmed the age pattern for stress. Regressions with the Gallup-Healthways data statistically controlled several third-variables, yet none substantially altered the pattern. CONCLUSION: We argue that this new experiential well-being pattern informs us about aging in the US and the "paradox" calls out for explanation.
OBJECTIVES: Although there is evidence that evaluative subjective well-being (e.g., life satisfaction) shows a U-shaped pattern with highest satisfaction in the youngest and oldest years and lowest in the middle years of adulthood, much less is known about experiential well-being. We explore a negative indicator of experiential well-being (perceived stress), examine its association with age, and explore possible determinants of the age pattern. METHODS: Using Gallup-Healthways survey data of over 1.5 million U.S. respondents, we analyzed a question asking about stress yesterday and demographic determinants of the pattern. To confirm this pattern, data on stress was analyzed from the American Time Use Survey and data on distress was analyzed from the Health and Retirement Survey. RESULTS: We show that ratings of daily, perceived stressfulness yield a paradox, with high levels from the 20's through about age 50, followed by a precipitous decline through the 70's. Data from the other two surveys confirmed the age pattern for stress. Regressions with the Gallup-Healthways data statistically controlled several third-variables, yet none substantially altered the pattern. CONCLUSION: We argue that this new experiential well-being pattern informs us about aging in the US and the "paradox" calls out for explanation.
Authors: Albertas Skurvydas; Ausra Lisinskiene; Marc Lochbaum; Daiva Majauskiene; Dovile Valanciene; Ruta Dadeliene; Natalja Fatkulina; Asta Sarkauskiene Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-04 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Dawid Gondek; David Bann; Praveetha Patalay; Alissa Goodman; Eoin McElroy; Marcus Richards; George B Ploubidis Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2021-01-21 Impact factor: 10.592