Adapting to Aging: Older People Talk About Their Use of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation to Maximize Well-being in the Context of Physical Decline

Abstract

Objectives:Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) may contribute to successful aging by helping older people maximize well-being in the context of physical decline. To explore this hypothesis, and to investigate the potential for narrative analysis to improve understanding of SOC, we analyze interviews conducted with 15 members of the 6-Day Sample, a cohort of Scots born in 1936.Method:Interviewees were chosen based on their physical function and well-being scores. Interviews were analyzed to investigate “SOC talk,” that is, older people’s talk about SOC behaviors in everyday life. Types and amounts of SOC talk were quantified, and talk was narratively analyzed. We hypothesized that older people who engaged in more SOC talk would have higher well-being.Results:Older people who engaged in high levels of SOC talk had high well-being despite low physical function. Those who engaged in little SOC talk had low well-being despite higher physical function.Discussion:The concept of successful aging is valuable in part because of its narrative quality: One must strive to keep one’s life story developing despite physical decline and other losses. We provide evidence, from the perspectives of older people themselves, of the ways in which SOC may play a role in that process.

Resilience, not frailty: A qualitative study of the perceptions of older adults towards “frailty”

“…Studies have shown that older adults' have a variety of strategies in place to maximise independence and well‐being in the context of physical decline (Baltes & Baltes, ; Carpentieri, Elliott, Brett, & Deary, ; Nazil, ). In terms of ageing, individuals who are able to maintain higher levels of functioning despite adversity experienced are thought to demonstrate resilience (Cosco, Howse, & Brayne, ).…”

Factors influencing self-management of depression in older adults: a qualitative study

“…A significant outcome of stigma is that affected individuals may delay or avoid seeking help . However, the narrative used by older adults when talking about ageing has also been associated with health, life satisfaction and quality of life (Carpentieri, Elliott, Brett, & Deary, 2017). Positive attitudes towards ageing are recognised as important drivers of healthy mental and physical ageing (Bryant et al, 2012;Carpentieri et al, 2017).…”

Religious Service Attendance Aids Coping by Providing a Sense of Continuity: A Test of the Stress‐Support Matching Hypothesis Using Mental Health Outcome Measures

“…The WEMWBS was developed for use with nationwide samples, has been used to study public religiosity, and captures multiple mental well‐being aspects such as self‐actualization, happiness, and psychological functioning (Carpentieri et al. ; Pandya ; Tennant et al. ).…”

“…The dependent measure-mental well-being-was measured using the validated (Englishlanguage) WEMWBS (Tennant et al 2007). The WEMWBS was developed for use with nationwide samples, has been used to study public religiosity, and captures multiple mental well-being aspects such as self-actualization, happiness, and psychological functioning (Carpentieri et al 2016;Pandya 2015;Tennant et al 2007). In terms of the appropriateness of this measure for religious stress-buffering models, the WEMWBS covers many of the mental health aspects of the religious stress-buffering studies reviewed in Table 1.…”