Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Comparative Study
. 2025 Jun 10;80(7):gbaf083.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbaf083.

Comparison of Views on Aging and Self-Perceptions of Aging Between Dementia Caregivers and Noncaregivers

Serena Sabatini  1 , Shelbie G Turner  2 , Blossom Stephan  3
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Comparison of Views on Aging and Self-Perceptions of Aging Between Dementia Caregivers and Noncaregivers

Serena Sabatini et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. .

Abstract

Objectives: Positive general views on and self-perceptions of aging (SPAs) are important for active and healthy aging. This cross-sectional study compared the general views on aging and SPAs of dementia caregivers with those of noncaregivers.

Methods: Data from the German Aging Study comprising 190 caregivers (mean age = 65.69 years; SD = 10.11) and 4,480 noncaregivers (mean age = 68.81 years; SD = 10.49) were used. The onset of old age was used to assess general views on aging. Estimated own reachable age, felt age, attitudes toward own aging, and aging-related cognitions were used to assess SPAs. Sociodemographic variables, health conditions, and depressive symptoms were used as covariates. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were used.

Results: Onset of old age did not differ between dementia caregivers and noncaregivers. Dementia caregivers and noncaregivers had similar felt age, attitudes toward own aging, expected own reachable age, and aging-related cognitions on physical losses, ongoing development, and self-knowledge. Compared to noncaregivers, caregivers reported lower negative aging-related cognitions on social losses (adjusted B = -0.60; 95% CI: -0.93, -0.73; standardized beta = -0.05).

Discussion: Except from aging-related cognitions on social losses, dementia caregivers and noncaregivers had similar general views on aging and SPAs. Hence, despite close contact with people who have complex conditions such as dementia, dementia caregivers may not be at greater risk of negative general views of aging and SPAs.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s; Attitudes toward own aging; Carers; Felt age; Subjective aging.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Abramson, L. Y., Metalsky, G. I., & Alloy, L. B. (1989). Hopelessness depression: A theory-based subtype of depression. Psychological Review, 96(2), 358–372. https://doi.org/ 10.1037//0033-295x.96.2.358 - DOI
    1. Alzheimer’s Disease International. (2019). World Alzheimer report 2019 attitudes to dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease International. https://globalcoalitiononaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/WorldAlzhe...
    1. Ayotte, B. J., Yang, F. M., & Jones, R. N. (2010). Physical health and depression: A dyadic study of chronic health conditions and depressive symptomatology in older adult couples. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 65(4), 438–448. https://doi.org/ 10.1093/geronb/gbq033 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Barrett, A. E. (2003). Socioeconomic status and age identity: The role of dimensions of health in the subjective construction of age. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 58(2), S101–S109. https://doi.org/ 10.1093/geronb/58.2.s101 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Brandtstädter, J., & Rothermund, K. (2002). The life-course dynamics of goal pursuit and goal adjustment: A two-process framework. Developmental Review, 22(1), 117–150. https://doi.org/ 10.1006/drev.2001.0539 - DOI

Publication types