Examining goal re-engagement as a mediator of longitudinal associations between awareness of age-related change and vitality in midlife and older adulthood

Abstract

Theorized mechanisms linking views on aging, self-regulation, and well-being have not previously been examined longitudinally. This study considers goal re-engagement as a potential mediator of longitudinal relationships between awareness of age-related change (AARC) and vitality. We expected that more positive perceptions of aging (i.e., higher AARC-gains and lower AARC-losses) at Time 1 (T1) would be associated with increases in goal re-engagement and, in turn, increases in vitality. We also examined possible moderating effects of age on associations of AARC with goal re-engagement and vitality. A sample of 408 middle-aged and older adults (60 years and over) completed three online assessments capturing AARC (gains and losses), goal re-engagement, and vitality over a 12-month period. Parallel process latent growth models were used to test for mediation. Associations among variable intercepts revealed that more positive views of aging were associated with higher levels of goal re-engagement and greater vitality. However, there was no support for the longitudinal mediation hypotheses, with T1 levels of AARC showing negligible associations with rates of change in goal re-engagement and vitality. Moderation analyses revealed a stronger association of T1 AARC-gains with the intercept for goal re-engagement at older, relative to younger ages. Although growing evidence supports cross-sectional links between views on aging, self-regulation and well-being, research with longer measurement intervals and a more comprehensive array of potential mediators is needed to conclusively identify underlying mechanisms.