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Review
. 2024 Feb:55:101741.
doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2023.101741. Epub 2023 Nov 15.

Self-perceptions of aging: A conceptual and empirical overview

Manfred Diehl  1 , Hans-Werner Wahl  2
Affiliations
Review

Self-perceptions of aging: A conceptual and empirical overview

Manfred Diehl et al. Curr Opin Psychol. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

This article defines self-perceptions of aging (SPA) as individuals' perceptions, expectations, and experiences regarding their own process of growing old(er). As such, SPA are considered a critically important element of the aging self. Furthermore, the authors present a heuristic model that positions adults' SPA within a lifespan developmental and cultural-societal context and elaborates distal and proximal antecedents, process modes, and developmental outcomes. The remainder of the article summarizes recent empirical findings and discusses future challenges and directions.

Keywords: Awareness of age-related change; Cultural-societal context; Developmental outcomes; Lifespan developmental context; Self-perceptions of aging.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Heuristic Framework for the Study of Self-Perceptions of Aging (modified after Diehl & Wahl [13] and Diehl et al. [1])
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Reported Age Patterns of AARC-Gains and ARRC-Losses Across the Adult Lifespan (right panel: Kaspar et al. [21]) Contrasted with Lay-Person Ratings of Expected Gains and Losses across Adulthood (left panel: Heckhausen et al. [23])
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Diehl M, Brothers A, Wahl HW: Self-perceptions and awareness of aging: Past, present, and future. In Handbook of the psychology of aging (9th ed.). Edited by Schaie KW, Willis SL. Academic Press; 2021:155–179. 10.1016/B978-0-12-816094-7.00001-5 - DOI

    2. This handbook chapter provides a comprehensive review of the research on self-perceptions since its inception and discusses recent findings and future directions and challenges.

    1. Wurm S, Diehl M, Kornadt AE, Westerhof GJ, Wahl HW: How views on aging affect health outcomes in adulthood and late life? Explanations for an established connection. Dev Rev 2017, 46:27–43. 10.1016/j.dr.2017.08.002 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Diehl M, Shrira A, Palgi Y (Eds): Subjective views of aging: An orientation to this volume. In Subjective views of aging: Theory, research, and practice. Edited by Shrira A, Palgi Y, Diehl M. Springer; 2022:1–9. 10.1007/978-3-031-11073-3_1 - DOI
    1. Diehl M, Wahl HW, Brothers AF, Miche M: Subjective aging and awareness of aging: Toward a new understanding of the aging self. Annu Rev Gerontol Geriatr 2015, 35:1–28. 10.1891/0198-8794.35.1 - DOI
    1. Kornadt AE, Rothermund K: Contexts of aging: Assessing evaluative age stereotypes in different life domains. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2011, 66:547–556. 10.1093/geronb/gbr036 - DOI - PubMed

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