Ageing mindfully: exploration of a conceptual model targeting anxiety about ageing in midlife

Ageing anxiety describes experiences of fear associated with the ageing process. In addition to the unpleasant experience of fear itself, several negative outcomes are linked to it. This study aimed to explore associations between mindfulness, self-care, self-compassion, and ageing anxiety within a framework of consistency theory.

Nonlatent path analysis was performed to examine the hypothesised relationships. Data were collected from N = 460 middle-aged (40-65-year-old) German-speaking adults. Mindful Attention And Awareness Scale, Self-Compassion Scale, Brief Mindful Self-Care Scale, Incongruence Questionnaire and Anxiety about Aging Scale were presented via an online survey.

Tucker-Lewis Index and Comparative Fit Index indicate acceptable model fit, whereas an elevated Root Mean Square Error of Approximation warrants caution in interpretation. However, all indirect effects were significant. Mindfulness and related concepts correlated moderately and presented substantial residual correlations with ageing anxiety. An alternative model was tested but ultimately rejected due to poor fit.

On the one hand, findings suggest that further model refinement is needed to adequately capture these complex associations. On the other hand, the significant indirect effects could represent first steps to identify potential targets for future intervention research. Nevertheless, longitudinal or experimental studies are needed to clarify possible mechanisms of action.