Positive Expectations Regarding Aging Linked to More New Friends in Later Life.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Negative perceptions of aging can be self-fulfilling prophecies, predicting worse cognitive and physical outcomes. Although older adults are portrayed as either lonely curmudgeons or perfect grandparents, little research addresses how perceptions of aging relate to social outcomes. We considered whether more positive expectations about aging encourage older adults to maintain or bolster their social network connections and support.

Method

This study examined baseline, 12-, and 24-month questionnaire data from the Baltimore Experience Corps Trial, a longitudinal randomized volunteer intervention for adults aged 60 years and older. The associations between expectations regarding aging and different types of social support were tested using negative binomial and mult

SUBMITTER: Menkin JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5926985 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature