Responding to the emotions of others: Age differences in facial expressions and age-specific associations with relational connectedness.

ABSTRACT: Responding prosocially to the emotion of others may become increasingly important in late life, especially as partners and friends encounter a growing number of losses, challenges, and declines. Facial expressions are important avenues for communicating empathy and concern, and for signaling that help is forthcoming when needed. In a study of young, middle-aged, and older adults, we measured emotional responses (facial expressions, subjective experience, and physiological activation) to a sad, distressing film clip and a happy, uplifting film clip. Results revealed that, relative to younger adults, older adults showed more sadness and confusion/concern facial expressions during the distressing film clip. Moreover, for older adults only, more sadness and fewer disgust facial expressions dur

SUBMITTER: Lwi SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12320614 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature