Exploring Patterns of Positive Aging Among Centenarians
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns of change in psychological outcomes in positive aging after 100 years of age. Data for this study was extracted from the Oklahoma 100-year Life Project May 2013- July 2018). The baseline sample consisted of n = 111 centenarians (M = 100.81, SD = 1.48). A follow-up assessment was conducted two years later at Time 2 (T2) and included a subset of n = 43 or 38% of surviving baseline sample participants (M = 102.90, SD = 1.74). A final follow-up at Time 3 (T3) was conducted one year after the T2 assessment and included a subset of n = 22 or 51.16% of surviving T2 participants (M = 103.90, SD = 1.44). The range of mean score in life satisfaction from T1 (M = 28.55) to T3 range from (M = 29.31), positive affect scores ranges from T1(M = 34.69) to T3(M =28.22), negative scores T1(M =12.14) to T3 (M = 13.59), sense of purpose in life range from T1(M = 36.42) to T3(M = 33.19) Patterns across life-satisfaction, positive/negative affect, and purpose-in-life seem to be relatively mixed. In particular, the overall pattern of life satisfaction showed a "U" shaped pattern across all centenarians; whereas positive affect and purpose-in-life resemble a pattern of decline after age 100. Second, patterns of positive aging exhibit a patterns of convergence and divergence by gender. Significant gender differences evolved for affect and purpose in life. Centenarian woman appeared to be more emotionally negative and possess a lower sense of purpose in life than male centenarians Third, there was an unexpected plateau and noticeable decline in life satisfaction and positive affect around 105 and 106 years of age. Findings from this study have potential implications relative to how geriatric practitioners, clinicians and policymakers may create and implement programs to promote mental health and quality-of-life for persons living long lives.
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- OSU Theses [15752]