Does flexible goal adjustment predict life satisfaction in older adults? A six-year longitudinal study

Bailly, Nathalie; Gana, Kamel; Hervé, Catherine; Joulain, Michèle; Alaphilippe, Daniel

doi:10.1080/13607863.2013.875121

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 78 publications

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“…The first two trajectories of flexibility, representing a majority of our sample (70%), were characterized by relatively high and stable scores of flexibility. The stability of accommodative process was also highlighted by previous studies conducted among older people [9, 12, 41], whereas studies conducted with a large age bracket (from adolescence to elderliness) [42] indicated more of an age-related increase in flexibility. However, stable trajectories only comprised individuals with relatively high scores of flexibility.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Longitudinal Patterns of Stability and Change in Tenacious Goal Pursuit and Flexible Goal Adjustment among Older People over a 9-Year Period

Martinent

Bailly

Ferrand

et al. 2017

BioMed Research International

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Using the dual-process model of assimilative-tenacity (TGP) and accommodative-flexibility (FGA), the study aims to identify trajectories of TGP and FGA over five time points within a 9-year period, explore the relationships between the trajectories of TGP and FGA, and explore if participants from distinct TGP and FGA trajectories differed in indicators of well-being and depression. Latent class growth analysis was used in a five-wave longitudinal design among an older population of 747 participants over 65 years. Results highlight (1) emergence of four trajectories for flexibility (low and increasing, moderate and increasing, moderately high and stable, and high and stable trajectories) and three trajectories for tenacity (low and stable, moderate and stable, and high and decreasing trajectories), (2) that older people belonging to particular trajectories of FGA are not more likely to belong to particular trajectories of TGP, and (3) that participants from the high and decreasing TGP and high or moderately high and stable FGA trajectories were characterized by high score of perceived health, satisfaction with life, and self-esteem and low score of depression moods. These results highlight that the heterogeneity in longitudinal TGP and FGA scores throughout the life span needs to be accounted for in future research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Longitudinal Patterns of Stability and Change in Tenacious Goal Pursuit and Flexible Goal Adjustment among Older People over a 9-Year Period

Martinent

Bailly

Ferrand

et al. 2017

BioMed Research International

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“…These challenges may require an adjustment of personal goals as some originally established goals may be unattainable. While not a consideration in the study, personal tenacity and the ability to modify personal goals over time may contribute to increased life satisfaction (Bailly, Gana, Hervé, Joulain, & Alaphilippe, 2014). Using a collaborative goal setting model, Waldersen et al,(2014) found when older adults were flexible and willing to adopt new strategies, opportunity for goal attainment increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining Life Goals of Community-Dwelling, Low-Income Older Adults

Howard¹,

Louvar²

2017

Research in Gerontological Nursing

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Self-care and self-management programs are touted as a means to age successfully. Yet, these programs pay little regard to a critical first step—the personal goals of older adults. The capacity to self-identify goals and pursue actions toward goal achievement transcends age. An examination of life goals identified by community-dwelling, low-income older adults indicates that functional performance mechanisms are valued. Maintenance of health and increased physical activity were the two most commonly identified personal goals within a sample of 161 community-dwelling older adults residing in subsidized housing. A third goal, increased socialization, aligns with relevant psychosocial factors and reflects the need to engage with others. The preferences of the older adult placed at the center of the care planning process strategically support goal attainment. Providing an opportunity to create and pursue self-selected life goals of older adults is worth consideration when developing and testing interventions designed to support successful aging. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2017; 10(5):205–214.]

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“…For example, in a study of 36 older adults aged 65 to 85, which explored coping mechanisms for six types of age-related loss (e.g., loss of ability, loss of loved one, loss of cognitive ability), researchers found that individuals who used accommodation based coping demonstrated higher levels of SWB than other coping mechanisms (Thumala Dockendorff, 2014). In addition, FGA has demonstrated immediate effect on life satisfaction in a population of older adults (Bailly et al, 2014). This highlights the capacity of older adults to continuously adjust goals, impacting outlook on life, and consequently, having a lasting effect on life satisfaction.…”

Section: Flexibilitymentioning

confidence: 96%

“…For example, the Social Selectivity Theory maintains that as people age, a shift occurs increasing the 'positivity effect' thus emphasizing social relationships, emotional meaning, and increasingly focusing on positive information over negative information (Charles & Carstensen, 2010;Samanez-Larkin et al, 2009). Similarly, the dual-process model of selfregulation (Brandtstädter & Renner, 1990) highlights the importance of flexible goal adjustment (FGA) in maintaining life satisfaction into late life (Bailly et al, 2014). The dual-process model underscores the significant role of assimilative and accommodative coping in mediating functional declines and losses over time.…”

Section: Flexibilitymentioning

confidence: 97%

The Relationship Between Family Resilience and Aging Successfully

Martin

Distelberg

Elahad

2015

The American Journal of Family Therapy

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Aging families encounter non-normative and age-related challenges that often cause stress on the family system. The concept of family resilience provides a relevant strength-based perspective for recognizing the multigenerational transitions and challenges encountered by families as they age. Based on the existing family resilience and successful aging literature we outline and provide potential clinical direction for three key constructs (flexibility, social support, and spirituality/religiosity) which have the largest supportive body of evidence in the aging and resilience literature. Recognizing the characteristics that contribute to aging well through a family resilience lens lays the foundation for strength-based intervention with aging families.During the last 100 years, the human lifespan has nearly doubled. Currently one out every eight Americans is over 65 years of age and this number is expected to grow exponentially over the next two decades (Moody, 2005). While there is vast heterogeneity in aging, the nature of adversities encountered by older adults and their families are different

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Does flexible goal adjustment predict life satisfaction in older adults? A six-year longitudinal study

Abstract: In line with successful aging theory, our findings support the view that the ability to adjust personal goals flexibly is a central resource when unattainable goals are encountered and it contributes to well-being in old age.

Cited by 22 publications

References 78 publications

Longitudinal Patterns of Stability and Change in Tenacious Goal Pursuit and Flexible Goal Adjustment among Older People over a 9-Year Period

Longitudinal Patterns of Stability and Change in Tenacious Goal Pursuit and Flexible Goal Adjustment among Older People over a 9-Year Period

Examining Life Goals of Community-Dwelling, Low-Income Older Adults

The Relationship Between Family Resilience and Aging Successfully

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