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Aging-related fears and their associations with ideal life expectancy

Author

Listed:
  • Fiona S. Rupprecht

    (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Kristina Martin

    (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

  • Frieder R. Lang

    (Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Abstract

Fears regarding various aspects tend to stimulate individuals to escape or to avoid the sources of the threat. We concluded that fears associated with the future aging process, like the fear of aging-related diseases, the fear of loneliness in old age, and the fear of death, would stimulate patterns of avoidance when it comes to ideal life expectancy. We expected fear of aging-related diseases and fear of loneliness in old age to be related to lower ideal life expectancies. We expected fear of death to be related to higher ideal life expectancies. In two adult lifespan samples [N1 = 1065 and N2 = 591; ages ranging from 18 to 95 years, M (SD)1 = 58.1 (17.2) years, M (SD)2 = 52.6 (18.1) years], we were able to support our hypothesis regarding fear of death. We furthermore found significant interactions among the fears, indicating that individuals fearing diseases or loneliness but being unafraid of death opted for the shortest lives. Our results indicate that fears regarding life in very old age might be associated with the wish to avoid this age period; the fear of death was however associated with the wish for particularly long lives, and thus, with distancing oneself from the dreaded event of death. We conclude that fears seem to be associated with how individuals approach old age and with what they wish for in their own future as aged people.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiona S. Rupprecht & Kristina Martin & Frieder R. Lang, 2022. "Aging-related fears and their associations with ideal life expectancy," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 587-597, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:19:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s10433-021-00661-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-021-00661-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jacqui Smith & Alexandra M. Freund, 2002. "The Dynamics of Possible Selves in Old Age," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 57(6), pages 492-500.
    2. Victor G. Cicirelli, 2006. "Fear of Death in Mid-Old Age," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 61(2), pages 75-81.
    3. Frieder R. Lang & Paul B. Baltes & Gert G. Wagner, 2007. "Desired Lifetime and End-of-Life Desires Across Adulthood From 20 to 90: A Dual-Source Information Model," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(5), pages 268-276.
    4. Catherine E. Bowen & Eva-Marie Kessler & Julia Segler, 2019. "Dementia worry in middle-aged and older adults in Germany: sociodemographic, health-related and psychological correlates," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 39-52, March.
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