TY - JOUR
T1 - Subjective Age and Its Correlates Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults
AU - Shinan-Altman, Shiri
AU - Werner, Perla
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2018.
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - The present study evaluates discrepancies in subjective age as reported by middle-age persons (aged 44–64 years) in comparison to older adults (aged 65 years and older), using a multidimensional definition of the concept. A convenience sample of 126 middle-aged and 126 older adults completed subjective age measures (felt age, desired age, and perceived old age), attitudes toward older adults, knowledge about aging, and sociodemographic questionnaires. Overall, participants reported feeling younger than they actually were and wanting to be younger than their chronological age. Perceived mean for old age was about 69 years. Discrepancies in felt age and desired age were significantly larger for the older group compared to the middle-aged group. Regarding perceived old age, compared to the younger group, older adults reported that old age begins at an older age. Findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults’ perceptions regarding themselves and regarding old age in general are independent and need, therefore, separate research and practical attention.
AB - The present study evaluates discrepancies in subjective age as reported by middle-age persons (aged 44–64 years) in comparison to older adults (aged 65 years and older), using a multidimensional definition of the concept. A convenience sample of 126 middle-aged and 126 older adults completed subjective age measures (felt age, desired age, and perceived old age), attitudes toward older adults, knowledge about aging, and sociodemographic questionnaires. Overall, participants reported feeling younger than they actually were and wanting to be younger than their chronological age. Perceived mean for old age was about 69 years. Discrepancies in felt age and desired age were significantly larger for the older group compared to the middle-aged group. Regarding perceived old age, compared to the younger group, older adults reported that old age begins at an older age. Findings suggest that middle-aged and older adults’ perceptions regarding themselves and regarding old age in general are independent and need, therefore, separate research and practical attention.
KW - middle aged
KW - older adults
KW - subjective age
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85054591350&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0091415017752941
DO - 10.1177/0091415017752941
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C2 - 29359580
SN - 0091-4150
VL - 88
SP - 3
EP - 21
JO - International Journal of Aging and Human Development
JF - International Journal of Aging and Human Development
IS - 1
ER -