Work

Age Differences in Negative, but Not Positive, Rumination

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study was to determine whether there are age differences in positive and negative repetitive thought (ie, rumination). METHOD: Young adults (ages 19-39; n = 114) and older adults (ages 60-85; n = 88) completed measures of negative and positive rumination. Bayesian analyses were used to determine whether age differences were present for both negative (young > old) and positive (old > young) rumination. RESULTS: There was extremely strong evidence for age differences in negative rumination, with lower scores in older adults. In contrast, the evidence was in favor of the null hypothesis for positive rumination. DISCUSSION: Age-related positivity is better characterized as decreased dwelling on the meaning of negative moods, rather than increased attention to positive ones.

Source: The Journals of Gerontology Series B

DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbz109

Authors: Lisa Emery, Anne Sorrell, Cassidy Miles

Institution: Appalachian State University

Language: English

Topic: Aging and Gerontology Research

Subfield: Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Innovation and Technology Fund, National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging