IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jhappi/v21y2020i4d10.1007_s10902-019-00136-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Does Our Age Affect the Way we Live? A Study on Savoring Strategies Across the Life Span

Author

Listed:
  • Alexandra Marques-Pinto

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Sofia Oliveira

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Andrea Santos

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Cláudia Camacho

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Débora Pires Silva

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

  • Mónica Sofia Pereira

    (Universidade de Lisboa)

Abstract

This study set out to explore the savoring strategies used by adolescents, adults and the elderly with a view to contributing to theory on age and savoring. A sample of 1018 Portuguese participants (n = 114 adolescents in the 3rd cycle of basic education; n = 474 adolescents in secondary education; n = 311 adults; and n = 119 older adults), answered the Positive Experiences Questionnaire, a self-report questionnaire with open-ended questions on savoring strategies used to prolong or intensify the positive emotions associated with positive events, in addition to their respective efficacy. The data content analysis showed that participants use complex strategy patterns to up-regulate their positive emotional experiences, comprising cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, volitional and sensory strategies. Age differences in savoring were identified, with the adolescents mostly referring to interpersonal strategies, namely taking care of relationships, and the adult and elderly participants predominantly recalling cognitive strategies, more specifically sharing with others and having thoughts of faith or thankfulness, respectively. The majority of participants considered the savoring strategies used to be efficacious and no significant associations were found between the lifespan groups in this regard. These findings may further the understanding of documented differences in subjective well-being across the life-span and inform intervention efforts in this domain. The article closes by suggesting directions for future studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Marques-Pinto & Sofia Oliveira & Andrea Santos & Cláudia Camacho & Débora Pires Silva & Mónica Sofia Pereira, 2020. "Does Our Age Affect the Way we Live? A Study on Savoring Strategies Across the Life Span," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1509-1528, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00136-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-019-00136-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10902-019-00136-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10902-019-00136-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel Hurley & Paul Kwon, 2012. "Results of a Study to Increase Savoring the Moment: Differential Impact on Positive and Negative Outcomes," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 579-588, August.
    2. Susan Turk Charles & Gloria Luong & David M. Almeida & Carol Ryff & Maggie Sturm & Gayle Love, 2010. "Fewer Ups and Downs: Daily Stressors Mediate Age Differences in Negative Affect," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 65(3), pages 279-286.
    3. Fred Bryant & Colette Smart & Scott King, 2005. "Using the Past to Enhance the Present: Boosting Happiness Through Positive Reminiscence," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 6(3), pages 227-260, September.
    4. Ilies, Remus & Keeney, Jessica & Scott, Brent A., 2011. "Work-family interpersonal capitalization: Sharing positive work events at home," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 114(2), pages 115-126, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Daniel Hurley & Paul Kwon, 2013. "Savoring Helps Most When You Have Little: Interaction Between Savoring the Moment and Uplifts on Positive Affect and Satisfaction with Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1261-1271, August.
    2. Selda Koydemir & Aslı Bugay Sökmez & Astrid Schütz, 2021. "A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Randomized Controlled Positive Psychological Interventions on Subjective and Psychological Well-Being," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(3), pages 1145-1185, June.
    3. Allyson S. Graf & Meagan A. Ramsey & Julie Hicks Patrick & Amy L. Gentzler, 2016. "Dark Storm Clouds and Rays of Sunshine: Profiles of Negative and Positive Rumination About Daily Hassles and Uplifts," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 17(6), pages 2257-2276, December.
    4. Yuval Palgi, 2013. "Ongoing Cumulative Chronic Stressors as Predictors of Well-Being in the Second Half of Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 1127-1144, August.
    5. L. Lambert & H.-A. Passmore & N. Scull & I. Al Sabah & R. Hussain, 2019. "Wellbeing Matters in Kuwait: The Alnowair’s Bareec Education Initiative," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 143(2), pages 741-763, June.
    6. Dianne Vella-Brodrick & Nansook Park & Christopher Peterson, 2009. "Three Ways to Be Happy: Pleasure, Engagement, and Meaning—Findings from Australian and US Samples," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 90(2), pages 165-179, January.
    7. Jurewicz., Zuzanna & Goode, Miranda R. & Thomson, Matthew, 2024. "A tonic for the highly stressed: Memories of extraordinary group experiences lead to greater cohesion and well-being," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    8. Jessica Bloom & Sabine Geurts & Michiel Kompier, 2013. "Vacation (after-) effects on employee health and well-being, and the role of vacation activities, experiences and sleep," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 613-633, April.
    9. Adorée Durayappah, 2011. "The 3P Model: A General Theory of Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 681-716, August.
    10. Kai Ludwigs & Richard Lucas & Martijn Burger & Ruut Veenhoven & Lidia Arends, 2018. "How Does More Attention to Subjective Well-Being Affect Subjective Well-Being?," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 13(4), pages 1055-1080, December.
    11. Fereshteh Heidari & Azam Amiri & Zinat Amiri, 2016. "The Effect of Person-Centered Narrative Therapy on Happiness and Death Anxiety of Elderly People," Asian Social Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(10), pages 117-117, October.
    12. Brooke Massey & Alice Vo Edwards & Laura Musikanski, 2021. "Life Satisfaction, Affect, and Belonging in Older Adults," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(3), pages 1205-1219, June.
    13. Carmela A White & Bob Uttl & Mark D Holder, 2019. "Meta-analyses of positive psychology interventions: The effects are much smaller than previously reported," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-48, May.
    14. Bozena Burzynska-Tatjewska & Maciej Stolarski, 2022. "Leaving Past Adversities Behind: Gratitude Intervention Compensates for the Undesirable Effects of Past Time Perspectives on Negative Affect," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, October.
    15. Ana Junça-Silva & António Caetano & Rita Rueff Lopes, 2017. "Daily Uplifts, Well-Being and Performance in Organizational Settings: The Differential Mediating Roles of Affect and Work Engagement," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 591-606, April.
    16. Kwan, Canice M.C. & Cheng, Shirley Y.Y. & Tsang, Alex S.L., 2023. "Societal reminiscence and decisions for a better society: A belief in progress explanation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    17. Rebecca Y. M. Cheung & Melody C. Y. Ng, 2023. "Disentangling the Effects of Mindfulness, Savoring, and Depressive Symptoms among Emerging Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-10, April.
    18. Jinseok P. Kim & Eunkook M. Suh, 2024. "Childhood Socioeconomic Status Shapes Beliefs About Hedonic Versus Eudaimonic Happiness: A Life History Approach," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1-21, June.
    19. An K. Raes & Lynn Bruyneel & Tom Loeys & Beatrijs Moerkerke & Rudi De Raedt, 2015. "Mindful Attention and Awareness Mediate the Association Between Age and Negative Affect," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 70(2), pages 179-188.
    20. Geddes, Deanna & Lindebaum, Dirk, 2020. "Unpacking the ‘why’ behind strategic emotion expression at work: A narrative review and proposed taxonomy," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 708-722.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:21:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-019-00136-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.