Age-Specific Predictors of Changes in Subjective Life Expectancy: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study

Subjective life expectancy (SLE) is considered an indicator of future time perspective and has implications for developmental outcomes in different areas of life. Previous studies rarely took a lifespan approach, although it would allow for a better understanding of whether the factors affecting SLE vary with participants' chronological age. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the predictors of changes in SLE across the lifespan, focusing on views of aging and preparation for old age.

SLE was assessed across a 10-year longitudinal interval in a sample of German adults participating in the Ageing-as-Future study (n = 514; age range at T1: 30-80 years). Personalized views of aging (future self-views) and preparations for old age assessed at T1 were used to predict changes in SLE across the longitudinal interval.

Positive future self-views predicted greater stability in SLE across the 10-year interval; this effect was only obtained for younger adults. High levels of preparation for old age predicted greater stability in SLE, but only for older participants.

Psychological variables capturing beliefs and behaviors regarding old age and aging have been shown to play a pivotal role in development in old age. The current study demonstrates that these variables influence an important aspect of future time perspective, namely, the subjectively expected time left to live. Examining psychological and behavioral predictors of SLE is relevant, as it broadens the understanding of which factors play a role in expanding or shrinking the perceived remaining lifetime.