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Short-Term Buffers, but Long-Term Suffers? Differential Effects of Negative Self-Perceptions of Aging Following Serious Health Events

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  • Julia K. Wolff
  • Benjamin Schüz
  • Jochen P. Ziegelmann
  • Lisa M. Warner
  • Susanne Wurm

Abstract

Objectives:Large longitudinal studies show that negative self-perceptions of aging can be detrimental for health outcomes. However, negative self-perceptions of aging (i.e., associating aging with physical losses) might be adaptive because they prepare individuals for serious health events (SHEs), resulting in short-term positive effects as opposed to long-term negative effects on well-being and health.Method:Longitudinal data from 309 older adults (aged 65 and older) were analyzed. Short-term (6 months) and long-term (2.5 years) effects after a SHE of negative self-perceptions of aging on functional limitations (FLs) and negative affect (NA) were investigated.Results:Results show that in the case of a SHE, individuals with more negative self-perceptions of aging reported less NA after 6 months but more FLs after 2.5 years. In contrast, individuals with less negative self-perceptions of aging reported more NA in the short-run but less FLs later on.Discussion:People with more negative self-perceptions of aging may be mentally prepared for health events or may have habituated to health declines. Individuals with more positive self-perceptions, in contrast, may invest a lot in coping efforts immediately after the health event. Similarities to research on unrealistic optimism are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia K. Wolff & Benjamin Schüz & Jochen P. Ziegelmann & Lisa M. Warner & Susanne Wurm, 2017. "Short-Term Buffers, but Long-Term Suffers? Differential Effects of Negative Self-Perceptions of Aging Following Serious Health Events," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(3), pages 408-414.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:72:y:2017:i:3:p:408-414.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna E. Kornadt & Klaus Rothermund, 2011. "Contexts of Aging: Assessing Evaluative Age Stereotypes in Different Life Domains," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(5), pages 547-556.
    2. Becca R. Levy & Martin D. Slade & Stanislav V. Kasl, 2002. "Longitudinal Benefit of Positive Self-Perceptions of Aging on Functional Health," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 57(5), pages 409-417.
    3. Susanne Wurm & Clemens Tesch-Römer & Martin J. Tomasik, 2007. "Longitudinal Findings on Aging-Related Cognitions, Control Beliefs, and Health in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(3), pages 156-164.
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    Cited by:

    1. Svenja M. Spuling & Verena Klusmann & Catherine E. Bowen & Anna E. Kornadt & Eva-Marie Kessler, 2020. "The uniqueness of subjective ageing: convergent and discriminant validity," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 445-455, December.
    2. Anna E. Kornadt & Eva-Marie Kessler & Susanne Wurm & Catherine E. Bowen & Martina Gabrian & Verena Klusmann, 2020. "Views on ageing: a lifespan perspective," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 387-401, December.
    3. Racheli-Lital Gvili & Ehud Bodner, 2021. "Ageist Attitudes Are Associated with Will-to-Live and Moderated by Age, Medical Conditions and Attitudes toward Aging," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-13, June.

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