Everyday competence in later life: current status and future directions

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Everyday competence in later life is a critical area of research.
• Existing literature provides a solid foundation on antecedents and outcomes.
• Gaps remain in understanding the components and mechanisms of this competence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on antecedents and outcomes of everyday competence in older adults.
• To identify key issues and propose future research directions.
• To advocate for a transactional approach viewing older adults as proactive agents.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on everyday competence in aging.
• Identification of key issues and gaps in the current knowledge base.
• Proposal of a future research agenda based on a transactional perspective.

Main Results:

• A solid knowledge base exists regarding the antecedents and outcomes of everyday competence.
• Significant gaps identified in understanding the specific components and underlying mechanisms.
• Five key issues requiring further investigation were identified.

Conclusions:

• Older adults are proactive individuals motivated to manage aging-related changes.
• A transactional approach is advocated for future research on everyday competence.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the components and mechanisms of competence in later life.