Contrasting paths to longevity: How personal and generalized views on aging differentially predict mortality.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Sociology

Background:

• Views on aging (VoA) significantly impact individual development and the aging process.
• Positive personal VoA is linked to increased lifespan, while generalized VoA (age stereotypes) correlates with poorer health outcomes.
• The association between generalized VoA and mortality risk remains underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the distinct impacts of personal and generalized VoA on mortality risk.
• To examine how these perceptions influence longevity using a multidimensional approach.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study using data from the Ageing as Future cohort (N=768, baseline 2009).
• Survival analysis was employed to assess mortality risk over a 15-year period (until 2024).
• Controlled for demographic and health factors including age, gender, income, education, self-rated health, and life satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Individuals with more positive personal views on aging demonstrated a lower risk of mortality.
• Conversely, individuals with more negative generalized views of older adults exhibited a lower risk of mortality, even after accounting for personal VoA.
• Both findings remained statistically significant after controlling for covariates.

Conclusions:

• Personal and generalized VoA exert opposing influences on mortality risk.
• Findings suggest mechanisms of internalization (personal VoA) and dissociation (generalized VoA) in shaping longevity.
• Understanding these dual perspectives is crucial for comprehending the complex relationship between attitudes toward aging and lifespan.