Looking Beyond Chronological Age: Current Knowledge and Future Directions in the Study of Subjective Age

Gerontology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Kotter-Grühn ◽  
Anna E. Kornadt ◽  
Yannick Stephan
Keyword(s):  
Successful Aging ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
The Relationship

The notion of the heterogeneity of aging goes along with the awareness that every person experiences aging differently. Over the past years, scholars have emphasized that the assessment of these subjective experiences of aging contributes to our understanding of a range of psychological and physiological processes and outcomes among older adults. One construct frequently used in this context is subjective age, that is, how old or young a person feels. Subjective age has been shown to be an important correlate as well as a predictor of markers of successful aging such as well-being, health, and longevity. However, less is known about the antecedents of subjective age and the mechanisms underlying the relationship between feeling younger and positive developmental outcomes. This article briefly summarizes and critically evaluates the empirical evidence on this topic and makes suggestions on how to address and potentially overcome currently existing theoretical, methodological, and psychometric challenges. Based on the discussion of these challenges, the paper provides directions for future research by outlining underexplored topics such as intraindividual variability and determinants of subjective age, the match between objective age indicators and subjective age, and how subjective age maps on behavior and functioning.

scholarly journals C-25 Neurocognitive Correlates of Chronological and Subjective Age Differences in Persons Living with HIV compared to those without HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1054-1054
Author(s):  
M Kohli ◽  
L Kamalyan ◽  
E Pasipanodya ◽  
R Moore ◽  
S Letendre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Serostatus ◽  
Functioning Inventory ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Objective Investigate the discrepancy between subjective and chronologic age by HIV-serostatus, and the association of this discrepancy with subjective neurocognitive functioning (NCF) and objective NCF. Methods One hundred nineteen persons living with HIV (PWLH) and 98 HIV-uninfected (HIV-) adults (Mage = 50.9; SDage = 7.9) completed a comprehensive neurobehavioral battery. Subjective age was assessed using a single-item question (i.e., “how old do you feel?”). The difference between chronologic and subjective age resulted in subjective age discrepancy scores (SADS). Subjective NCF was measured using the Patient’s Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory; objective NCF was measured using global demographically-corrected T-scores. Linear regressions examined the association between subjective and objective NCF with SADS, covarying for significant PLWH and HIV- group differences (i.e., education, sex, ethnicity, and lifetime Major Depressive Disorder). Results PLWH reported lower SADS (indicating closer correspondence between chronologic and subjective age) than their HIV- counterparts, who reported feeling much younger (p = .05; 95% CI: -5.4, .001). Among PLWH, better subjective NCF was significantly related to greater SADS (p = .0002; 95% CI: -.48, -.16). Objective NCF was not associated with SADS among persons with and without HIV. Conclusions Adults without HIV reported feeling younger than their chronologic age, whereas PLWH felt significantly closer to their chronologic age. SADS were negatively associated with only subjective NCF, among only PLWH. This suggests perceived cognitive functioning has a greater impact on psychological well-being among this group. Future research is warranted to delineate the relationship between HIV, subjective neurocognition, and psychosocial factors related to daily functioning to improve successful aging outcomes among this vulnerable population.

scholarly journals Daily Activity Engagement Predicts More Positive Affect Especially on Days When a Person Feels Young

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 908-909
Author(s):  
Erica O'Brien ◽  
Shevaun Neupert
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Prior Literature ◽  
Age Range ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Engagement in a wide array of mental, social, and physical leisure activities confers several health benefits. Indeed, theories of successful aging argue that an active lifestyle serves as an important criterion for maintaining high levels of psychological, functional, and physical well-being in old age. Findings from parallel studies also show that people who hold positive (self-)views of aging exhibit higher and maintained levels of well-being over time. Yet, whether views of aging enhances the link between activity engagement and well-being - and whether they do so on a daily basis – remains unknown. This study therefore sought to extend prior literature by examining the relationship between activity engagement, subjective age, and affective ratings within-person over several days. Old adults (N = 115; Age: Range = 60 – 90, M = 64.65, SD = 4.86) in the Mindfulness and Anticipatory Coping Every Day (MACED) study completed an 8-day daily diary. Participants reported on their positive and negative affect, the age they subjectively felt compared to their actual age, and the number and types of leisure activities in which they engaged. Results from multilevel analyses indicate that people felt more positive on days when they also engaged in more activities (total across mental, social, physical types) than usual. Moreover, the effect of activity engagement was most pronounced on days when people felt younger than usual. No effects were found for negative affect. Preliminary findings suggest that people benefit psychologically from daily leisure activities and a positive self-view of aging.

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Subjective Age, Health Status, and Advance Care Planning

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 420-420
Author(s):  
Ilana Engel ◽  
Tamara Baker
Keyword(s):  
Advance Care Planning ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Will ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Planning ◽  
Subjective Age ◽  
Advance Care ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Current data show that how old a person feels, or subjective age (SA), may be associated with improved well-being and functioning, less cognitive impairment, and longer life. Yet, the relationship between SA and advance care planning (ACP) has yet to be examined. This is all the more important when determining the role SA has in end-of-life decision-making. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (Wave 13, 2016), this study aimed to examine whether SA is associated with having a living will (LW), having a LW with life-limiting care, and having assigned a durable power of attorney. The sample included 3,165 participants 51+ years of age (mean age = 65.67; SD = 11.79). Analyses were conducted assessing the predictive value identified social, behavioral, and health factors have for ACP. Results from binomial logistic regression analyses indicated that participants who endorsed feeling older than their chronological age were similarly likely to have engaged in ACP as those who felt younger. As demonstrated previously, older chronological age was significantly associated with higher utilization of ACP (ps < .05). Those with cancer and women were significantly more likely to have a LW (ps <.05). The present study did not find evidence to support a significant relationship between SA and ACP. Lower overall engagement with ACP and treatment for specific conditions, such as cancer, may be more influential in determining who utilizes ACP. Future research should explore how SA may serve as a protective factor and/or a psychological mechanism that influences engagement in ACP.

scholarly journals Effect of Performance Management on Employees Well-Being via Perceived Job Control

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Hooria Sattar ◽  
Lubna Khaliq ◽  
Mattiullah Butt
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Job Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The City

The significant amount of research attention was given to the association among HRM and well-being; but how the attention driving performance management influences well-being and what variables explain their relation has not been well discussed yet. This study investigates the relationship between performance management practices and employees well being when perceived job control is playing the role of mediator. The Present research study addresses this relation in, educating employees working in different sectors in Lahore city as the city recruits employees from different areas of the country (Pakistan). Data was gathered from 250 employees and results show that performance management significantly influences our mediator and well-being and also the mediator (perceived job control) significantly influences the relationship between performance management practices and well-being. For future research purposes, limitations as well as future directions are also discussed in this research.

Special Issue on Psychophysiology and Neuroscience in Sport: Final Thoughts

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank L. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Sport Psychology ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Current Special Issue

Consistent with the Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology’s mission, the current special issue on psychophysiology and neuroscience in sport has brought together a variety of timely papers exploring the relationship between physiological processes and both sport performance and personal well-being. These final thoughts observe patterns noted among the papers in this issue, highlight future research directions, and most importantly, clarify where this emerging technology and its associated procedures currently stand in the evidence-based practice of clinical sport psychology.

Computer-Mediated Communication and Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 78-110
Author(s):  
Adrian Meier ◽  
Emese Domahidi ◽  
Elisabeth Günther
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Computer Mediated Communication ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Emerging Trends ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Systematic Database

The relationship between computer-mediated communication (e.g., Internet or social media use) and mental health has been a long-standing issue of debate. Various disciplines (e.g., communication, psychology, sociology, medicine) investigate computer-mediated communication in relation to a great variety of negative (i.e., psychopathology) and positive (i.e., well-being) markers of mental health. We aim at charting this vast, highly fragmented, and fast growing literature by means of a scoping review. Using methods of computational content analysis in conjunction with qualitative analyses, we map 20 years of research based on 1,780 study abstracts retrieved through a systematic database search. Results reveal the most common topics investigated in the field, as well as its disciplinary boundaries. Our review further highlights emerging trends in the literature and points to unique implications for how future research should address the various relationships between computer-mediated communication and mental health.

scholarly journals The Psychological Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic Restrictions in Italy. The Mediating Role of the Fear of COVID-19 in the Relationship between Positive and Negative Affect with Positive and Negative Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 697-710
Author(s):  
Andrea Zammitti ◽  
Chiara Imbrogliera ◽  
Angela Russo ◽  
Rita Zarbo ◽  
Paola Magnano
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive And Negative Affect ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Negative Outcomes ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

Italy was quickly hit hard by the coronavirus. ‘Lockdown’ has significantly impacted the psychological health, personal wellbeing and quality of life of the people. The study aims to explore the relationship between positive and negative affect, as well as positive (spiritual well-being and flourishing) and negative outcomes (psychological distress caused by a traumatic life event in terms of perception of PTSD symptoms) on Italian adults during the lockdown period. Data was collected between April and May 2020. The participants were 281 Italian adults aged between 18 and 73 years. The survey was composed of the following measures: Flourishing Scale, Jarel Spiritual Well-Being scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Impact of Event Scale—Revised, Fear of COVID-19. The mediational analysis shows that fear of COVID-19 fully mediates the relationship between negative affect and spiritual well-being and flourishing; fear of COVID-19 partially mediates the relationship between negative affect and PTSD symptoms; the positive affect shows only direct effects on positive outcomes. Therefore, fear of COVID-19 does not play any mediation role. Implications for psychological interventions and future research will be discussed.

scholarly journals Tocopherols and Tocotrienols—Bioactive Dietary Compounds; What Is Certain, What Is Doubt?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (12) ◽  
pp. 6222
Author(s):  
Kacper Szewczyk ◽  
Aleksandra Chojnacka ◽  
Magdalena Górnicka
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin E ◽  
Metabolic Disorders ◽  
Tissue Concentration ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Biological Role ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Relationship

Tocopherols and tocotrienols are natural compounds of plant origin, available in the nature. They are supplied in various amounts in a diet, mainly from vegetable oils, some oilseeds, and nuts. The main forms in the diet are α- and γ-tocopherol, due to the highest content in food products. Nevertheless, α-tocopherol is the main form of vitamin E with the highest tissue concentration. The α- forms of both tocopherols and tocotrienols are considered as the most metabolically active. Currently, research results indicate also a greater antioxidant potential of tocotrienols than tocopherols. Moreover, the biological role of vitamin E metabolites have received increasing interest. The aim of this review is to update the knowledge of tocopherol and tocotrienol bioactivity, with a particular focus on their bioavailability, distribution, and metabolism determinants in humans. Almost one hundred years after the start of research on α-tocopherol, its biological properties are still under investigation. For several decades, researchers’ interest in the biological importance of other forms of vitamin E has also been growing. Some of the functions, for instance the antioxidant functions of α- and γ-tocopherols, have been confirmed in humans, while others, such as the relationship with metabolic disorders, are still under investigation. Some studies, which analyzed the biological role and mechanisms of tocopherols and tocotrienols over the past few years described new and even unexpected cellular and molecular properties that will be the subject of future research.

scholarly journals Please, Do Not Interrupt Me: Work–Family Balance and Segmentation Behavior as Mediators of Boundary Violations and Teleworkers’ Burnout and Flourishing

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7339
Author(s):  
Vânia Sofia Carvalho ◽  
Alda Santos ◽  
Maria Teresa Ribeiro ◽  
Maria José Chambel
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Boundary Violations ◽  
Family Balance ◽  
Work Family Balance ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Relationship

The lockdown, in the COVID-19 pandemic, is considered an external crisis that evokes innumerous changes in individuals lives. One of the changes is the work and family dynamics. Based on boundary theory we examine the mediated role of work and family balance and boundary segmentation behavior in the relationship between boundary violations and teleworkers’ stress and well-being. However, because women and men live their work and family differently, gender may condition the way teleworkers lead with boundary violations and boundary segmentation. Hypotheses were tested through moderated mediation modeling using data collected of 456 teleworkers during lockdown. In line with our expectations, teleworkers who have suffered most boundary violations were those with least boundary segmentation behaviors and with least work-family balance which, in turn was related to higher burnout and lower flourishing. Furthermore, gender was found to moderate the relationship between boundary violations from work-to-family and segmentation behavior in the same direction and this relationship was stronger for females than for males. We discuss implications for future research and for managing teleworkers, creating sustainability, both during a crise and stable days.

scholarly journals PHYSIOLOGY OF SUCCESSFUL AGING: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S434-S434
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Mantantzis ◽  
Denis Gerstorf ◽  
Thomas M Hess
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Empathic Accuracy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Relationship Factors

Abstract Research into peripheral physiology and its association with cognition, emotionality, and social/physical functioning has received considerable attention over the years. However, many of the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this symposium, we have compiled a set of four empirical projects that showcase current and future endeavors to address some of the long-standing questions about when, how, and why physiology shapes and is shaped by key psychosocial resources. Hawkley et al. make use of data from the NSHAP and HRS longitudinal studies to investigate whether social relationships such as number of friends predicts risk of diabetes among older adults. Wilson et al. use dyadic data from young and middle-aged couples to examine cardiometabolic similarity among spouses, and how such concordance is shaped by key relationship factors such as emotional closeness. Pauly et al. use data from two daily-life studies of older couples to investigate how physiological synchrony in cortisol is modulated by partner interactions, empathy, and empathic accuracy. Finally, Mantantzis et al. make use of multi-year longitudinal data from the Berlin Aging Study II to examine the role of glucose regulation capacity for trajectories of subjective well-being among older adults. Thomas Hess will discuss the importance of these papers, discuss strengths and weaknesses of the approaches chosen, and consider implications for future research.

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