Schüz B, Ziegelmann JP, Warner LM, Wurm S, Wolff JK (2015)
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article, Original article
Publication year: 2015
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B - Oxford Open Option D
Book Volume: 00
Pages Range: 1-7
Journal Issue: Epub first
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.
APA:
Schüz, B., Ziegelmann, J.P., Warner, L.M., Wurm, S., & Wolff, J.K. (2015). Short-Term Buffers, but Long-Term Suffers? Differential Effects of Negative Self-Perceptions of Aging Following Serious Health Events. Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 00(Epub first), 1-7. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbv058
MLA:
Schüz, Benjamin, et al. "Short-Term Buffers, but Long-Term Suffers? Differential Effects of Negative Self-Perceptions of Aging Following Serious Health Events." Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 00.Epub first (2015): 1-7.
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