Multidomain trajectories of psychological functioning in old age

A longitudinal perspective on (uneven) successful aging

Bibliographic Data

ID9788191
AuthorsJennifer Morack (corresponding author), Nilam Ram (0000-0003-1671-5257, Max Planck Society), Elizabeth B Fauth (0000-0002-4009-0560, Utah State University), Denis Gerstorf (0000-0002-2133-9498, Pennsylvania State University)
Year2013
Volume49
Issue12
Pages2309-2324
Publication date2013-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopmental Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-1649 • E-ISSN: 1939-0599
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/a0032267
PMID23527494
OpenAlexW2093379921
LanguageEN
Citations received17

Life-span developmentalists have long been interested in the nature of and the contributing factors to successful aging. Using variable-oriented approaches, research has revealed critical insights into the intricacies of human development and successful aging. In the present study, we opted instead for a more subgroup-oriented approach and examined multiple-indicator information of late-life change at the person level. We applied latent profile analysis to 8-year longitudinal data pooled together across 4 Swedish studies of the oldest old (N = 1,008; Mage = 81 years at Time 1; 61% women). Results revealed 4 psychosocial aging profiles with uneven patterns of successful (and less successful) aging characterized by distinct trajectories of change across indicators of depressive symptoms, social, and memory functions: a preserved system integrity group of participants who maintained functioning across very old age; an aging in isolation group with a persistent lack of social support, and 2 groups of people with average well-being and social functions but distinctive memory profiles. A compromised memory group was characterized by poor memory throughout late life, whereas participants in a memory failing group exhibited dramatic memory declines late in life. The subgroups were also differentiated by sociodemographic characteristics, functional limitations, and mortality hazards, which may have served as antecedents, correlates, or consequents of profile trajectories. We discuss the promises and challenges of using subgroup-oriented approaches in the study of successful aging

Adult Development · Developmental psychology · Longitudinal study · Perspective (graphical · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Social isolation · Successful aging · Aging and Gerontology Research · Medicine · Psychological and Temporal Perspectives Research · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Gerontology

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