Perceived Life Expectancy Predicts Time Investment in Productive Aging Activities
Year: 2018
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Objectives: Despite known benefits of productive aging, it is unclear what predicts time allocation in productive activities. Most research did not consider multiple role engagement and time investment. Theoretically, perceived life expectancy may mediate the effects of age and health to predict productive engagement. We investigated whether productive engagement in older people can be predicted by their age, health, socioeconomic status, expected life expectancy, and time commitment in other roles. Methods: We interviewed 369 community-dwelling older persons in Hong Kong for their health and perceived life expectancy, followed by a 7-day ecological momentary assessment to record their family, social, and productive activities. We tested a model using path analysis with perceived life expectancy as a key predictor. Results: Participants (age 75 ± 8.3 years; 79% women) reported a perceived life expectancy of 10 ± 6.4 years. Majority (64%) had little to no education. A substantial proportion reported volunteering (44%) and caregiving (39%). Shorter perceived life expectancy correlated negatively with productive engagement and positively with immediate family engagement. Age and health status both affected perceived life expectancy (standardized coefficient -0.616 and -0.167, respectively). The model showed excellent goodness-of-fit: Chi-square 25.29 (df = 19; p = 0.15); CFI 0.984; RMSEA 0.032; SRMR 0.048. Discussion: In this sample of lower socioeconomic status, perceived life expectancy predicted preference for emotion- over future-oriented goals. Promotion of productive aging should try to address such perception.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2899896037