Insecurity about getting old: age-contingent self-worth, attentional bias, and well-being

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Older adulthood is often associated with increased well-being and positive cognitive biases.
• However, some older adults face social and identity challenges, increasing vulnerability.
• Age-related contingent self-esteem may predispose individuals to these difficulties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate which older adults are most vulnerable to social and identity challenges.
• To examine the relationship between age-related contingent self-esteem and well-being.
• To explore the link between contingent self-esteem and attentional biases in older adults.

Main Methods:

• Three studies measured older adults' self-reported aging self-worth contingencies.
• Well-being measures, including subjective stress, were assessed.
• A cued-dot probe task evaluated attentional biases toward aging threats.

Main Results:

• Contingent self-esteem related to cognitive decline showed an attentional bias toward rejection when cued with 'senile'.
• General aging contingencies correlated with lower well-being and a rejection bias when cued with 'old'.
• Stronger rejection bias, especially when cued with 'old', was linked to increased stress.

Conclusions:

• Older adults insecure about aging may experience reduced well-being and biased social cognition.
• Negative attentional patterns can perpetuate feelings of insecurity.
• These findings highlight a subset of older adults who may not benefit from the positivity effect.