Couples’ Shared Self-perceptions of Aging and Implications for Future Functional Limitations
Year: 2017
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are important for future health outcomes. Spouses in older adulthood are known to be linked in their health and well-being and may also co-construct beliefs about their own aging. This paper examines the link between spouses shared beliefs about their own aging and functional limitations six years later. HRS data from 8,760 couples (age range=51–96) were analyzed using latent variables that estimate shared and individual variance in SPA and functional limitations. Husbands’ and wives’ age, race, chronic illnesses (intraclass correlation [ICC]=.19), and physical activity (ICC=.17) were examined as contributors to shared SPA (ICC=.35) and future functional limitations (ICC=.21). Couples shared variance in SPA was significantly linked to their shared variance in functional limitations at follow-up (p<.001). Spouses’ chronic illnesses and functional limitations contributed to the magnitude of shared SPA and future functional limitations, and suggest that couples’ co-constructed environments are linked to their future health.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Authors: S.T. Mejia, R. Gonzalez
Institution: University of Michigan
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2729922828