Anxiety in Later Life and Across the Lifespan

Abstract

Research on anxiety in later life has advanced significantly in the last two decades. Within the extant literature, there are both gaps and opportunities for further cross-disciplinary linkages in terms of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of late-life anxiety. Research across cultures and cohorts has increased our understanding of the experience of anxiety across groups and thus has advanced measurement efficacy and diagnostic accuracy. Work on addressing social determinants across the lifespan regarding anxiety symptoms and their sequelae may help address anxiety as a globally growing concern.

Sense of Purpose and Strategies for Coping with Anxiety Across Adulthood

“…In general, older adulthood is often associated with fewer negative experiences, more positive experiences, and less anxiety (Hudson et al, 2019; Min et al, 2013). That said, older age is also often tied to unique experiences that may promote anxiety (Pachana, 2023), requiring thoughtful strategies to handle challenging emotional experiences. One of the reasons why older adults tend to have more positive experiences lies in the situations they choose to engage in (Carstensen, 2006; Carstensen et al, 1999), such as deciding to spend time with a close friend or family member rather than a new friend.…”

“…Such findings underscore how purpose may provide a resource for self-regulation, insofar as it helps individuals to stay motivated toward their daily activities and goals (Lewis, 2020). With emotion-regulation strategies tied to individual differences in experiences of anxiety (Cisler et al, 2010; De France & Hollenstein, 2019; Schneider et al, 2018) and the lifespan developmental nature of anxiety (Pachana, 2023), evaluating the connection between sense of purpose and types of emotion-regulation strategies is a valuable first step in clarifying why sense of purpose is connected to such a vast array of emotional benefits.…”