Associations Among Individuals’ Perceptions of Future Time, Individual Resources, and Subjective Well-Being in Old Age

Christiane A. Hoppmann, Frank J. Infurna, Nilam Ram and Denis Gerstorf

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2017, vol. 72, issue 3, 388-399

Abstract: Objectives:Perceptions of future time are of key interest to aging research because of their implications for subjective well-being. Interestingly, perceptions about future time are only moderately associated with age when looking at the second half of life, pointing to a vast heterogeneity in future time perceptions among older adults. We examine associations between future time perceptions, age, and subjective well-being across two studies, including moderations by individual resources.Method:Using data from the Berlin Aging Study (N = 516; Mage = 85 years), we link one operationalization (subjective nearness to death) and age to subjective well-being. Using Health and Retirement Study data (N = 2,596; Mage = 77 years), we examine associations of another future time perception indicator (subjective future life expectancy) and age with subjective well-being.Results:Consistent across studies, perceptions of limited time left were associated with poorer subjective well-being (lower life satisfaction and positive affect; more negative affect and depressive symptoms). Importantly, individual resources moderated future time perception—subjective well-being associations with those of better health exhibiting reduced future time perception—subjective well-being associations.Discussion:We discuss our findings in the context of the Model of Strength and Vulnerability Integration.

Keywords: Future time perception; Old age; Well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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The Journals of Gerontology: Series B is currently edited by Psychological Sciences - S. Duke Han, PhD and Social Sciences - Jessica A Kelley, PhD, FGSA

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