Successful Aging and Subjective Aging: Toward a Framework to Research a Neglected Connection

[en] Research related to subjective aging, which describes how individuals perceive, interpret and evaluate their own aging, has substantially grown in the past two decades. Evidence from longitudinal studies shows that subjective aging predicts health, quality of life, and functioning in later life. However, the existing literature on successful aging has mostly neglected the role of subjective aging. This paper proposes an extended framework of successful aging linking subjective aging conceptually and empirically to Rowe and Kahn’s (1997) three original key criteria of successful aging (i.e., avoiding disease and disability, maintaining high cognitive and physical function, and engagement with life). A particular focus is placed on subjective aging as an antecedent of successful aging. A review of the empirical subjective aging literature shows that subjective aging concepts consistently predict all three of Rowe and Kahn’s criteria of successful aging. Mechanisms underlying these relations are discussed at three levels, namely psychological, behavioral, and physiological pathways. The proposed addition also takes into consideration the interconnections between subjective aging and successful aging throughout the lifespan and across historical time. Finally, we discuss the importance of facilitating successful aging through systematic interventions that support more positive views of aging at the individual and societal level.

Disciplines :

Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others

Author, co-author :

Sabatini, Serena

Rupprecht, Fiona

Kaspar, Roman

Klusmann, Verena

KORNADT, Anna Elena ; University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) > Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences (DBCS) > Lifespan Development, Family and Culture

Nikitin, Jana

Schönstein, Anton

Stephan, Yannick

Wettstein, Markus

Wurm, Susanne

Diehl, Manfred

Wahl, Hans-Werner

External co-authors :

yes

Language :

English

Title :

Successful Aging and Subjective Aging: Toward a Framework to Research a Neglected Connection

Publication date :

2025

Journal title :

Gerontologist

ISSN :

0016-9013

eISSN :

1758-5341

Publisher :

Oxford University Press

Special issue title :

Redefining Successful Aging

Volume :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBilu :

since 08 April 2024

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Bibliography

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