The influence of subjective aging on health and longevity: A meta-analysis of longitudinal data.

Abstract

Evidence is accumulating on the effects of subjective aging-that is, how individuals perceive their own aging process-on health and survival in later life. The goal of this article is to synthesize findings of existing longitudinal studies through a meta-analysis. A systematic search in PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus, and Pubmed resulted in 19 longitudinal studies reporting effects of subjective aging on health, health behaviors, and longevity. The authors combine the outcomes reported in these studies using a random effects meta-analysis, assuming that there would be differences in effect sizes across studies. The meta-analysis resulted in an overall significant effect of subjective aging (likelihood ratio = 1.429; 95% confidence interval = 1.273-1.604; p < .001). The analyses revealed heterogeneity, with stronger effects for studies with a shorter period of follow-up, for studies of health versus survival, for studies with younger participants (average age of the studies varies between 57 and 85 years with a median of 63 years), and for studies in welfare systems where state provisions of welfare are minimal. However, effects did not vary either across different operationalizations of subjective aging or by study quality. Subjective aging has a small significant effect on health, health behaviors, and survival. Further theoretical conceptualizations and empirical studies are needed to determine how subjective aging contributes to health and survival.

Ageism in the Health Care System: Providers, Patients, and Systems

“…A more recent report revealed an association between negative age stereotypes held earlier in life and a later increased risk for Alzheimer's brain pathology (Levy et al 2016). Moreover, a meta-analysis of 19 longitudinal studies concluded that positive subjective ageing (defined as positive ageing attitudes and youthful identities) contributes to better health and increased longevity in later life (Westerhof et al 2014). Potential explanations may include that self-ageist ideas or negative views on ageing make it less likely for older adults to embrace positive health behaviors such as physical activity (Wurm et al 2010), take preventive health measures, or adhere to recommended treatments (Levy and Myers 2004).…”

Subjective Time Perceptions and Aging Well: A Review of Concepts and Empirical Research - A Mini-Review

“…Going further, increases in optimism over a 4-year period were associated with better self-rated health and fewer chronic illnesses [33] . Wurm and Benyamini [34] showed that dispositional optimism may also buffer the hazardous effects of negative attitudes toward aging that have otherwise been shown as a risk factor for physical health [35] .…”

Älter werden – Gewinn oder Verlust? Individuelle Altersbilder und Altersdiskriminierung

“…Altersbilder und Altersdiskriminierungserfahrungen sind bedeutsam für die Gesundheit und das Wohlergehen von Menschen (Westerhof et al 2014;Sutin, Stephan, Carretta, & Terracciano 2015). …”