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Some correlates of subjective life expectancy
David Lester1, Ahmed Abdel-Khalek
1Psychology Program, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, P.O. Box 195, Jimmie Leeds Road, Pomona, NJ 08240-0195, USA.
Psychological Reports
|April 25, 2007
Summary
Subjective life expectancy correlates vary by country. American students linked it to Tao orientation and existential anxiety, while Kuwaiti students associated it with death anxiety.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cross-cultural studies
- Health psychology
Background:
- Subjective life expectancy (SLE) is a key indicator of psychological well-being.
- Cultural factors may significantly influence perceptions of life expectancy and related psychological constructs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-cultural differences in correlates of subjective life expectancy.
- To identify specific psychological factors associated with SLE in American and Kuwaiti college students.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study involving 193 American and 209 Kuwaiti college students.
- Assessment of subjective life expectancy, Tao orientation, existential anxiety, and death anxiety.
Main Results:
- Correlates of SLE differed significantly between American and Kuwaiti students.
- In American students, Tao orientation and existential anxiety were associated with SLE.
- In Kuwaiti students, death anxiety was the primary correlate of SLE.
Conclusions:
- Cultural context plays a crucial role in shaping the psychological correlates of subjective life expectancy.
- Understanding these cultural nuances is essential for targeted mental health interventions and promoting well-being across diverse populations.
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