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Measuring (Non)Essentialist Beliefs About the Process of Aging

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  • David Weiss
  • Manfred Diehl
  • Derek M Isaacowitz

Abstract

ObjectivesWe validated an aging mindset measure that captures beliefs about the process of aging. Specifically, we introduce a brief 4-item and an extended 10-item measure assessing (non)essentialist beliefs about aging.MethodsWe report findings from one longitudinal and one cross-cultural study, including young, middle-aged, and older adults between 18 and 88 years. The studies established (retest) reliability and measurement invariance as well as convergent and discriminant validity of the measures.ResultsFirst, in a longitudinal study (N = 124, 50–84 years) including 4 measurement occasions, we showed that the 4-item scale assessing (non)essentialist beliefs about aging has good retest reliability and convergent as well as discriminant validity (e.g., awareness of age-related change). Second, in a large cross-cultural sample (N = 1,080, 18–82 years) of participants in the United States and Germany, we established an extended 10-item measure of (non)essentialist beliefs about aging, providing support for a 2-factor structure as well as measurement invariance across samples within and across countries (the United States and Germany), age groups (young, middle-aged, and older adults), as well as across men and women.DiscussionOur results highlight the importance of distinguishing between fixed versus malleable aging beliefs in research on aging and life-span development.

Suggested Citation

  • David Weiss & Manfred Diehl & Derek M Isaacowitz, 2021. "Measuring (Non)Essentialist Beliefs About the Process of Aging," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(7), pages 1340-1348.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:7:p:1340-1348.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbaa113
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