[Different life-space structures: different styles of aging]

By using life space data, among the participants of the Bonn Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) two groups were selected, sample A consisting of subjects that perceived only few, sample B of subjects that perceived many changes and many symptoms of aging.--The two groups reached the same scores in mental tests, but these scores and the life space data correlated positively in sample A, yet negatively in sample B. By nine behavior ratings group A was characterized as being more balanced than group B as to control and mood. By six categories group A was described as experiencing more satisfaction, group B as suffering more stress. In nine social roles group A showed more activity and more satisfaction than did group B.--These findings were interpreted, in the framework of a theory of self-regulation, as examples of different patterns of coping with developmental tasks.