Extending the communicative ecology model of successful aging using talk about careers and retirement

Abstract

ABSTRACT Given the emphasis on work in American lives, this study extended the communicative ecology model of successful aging (CEMSA) by testing two new domains of communication about aging: career meaning and preparing for retirement (N = 340 older adults). Findings supported many of the proposed paths including negative environmental chatter to negative affect, uncertainty, and both domains of communication. Positive environmental chatter was associated with positive affect, efficacy, and both domains. In both models, uncertainty was positively associated with negative affect and inversely with positive affect. Efficacy was consistently related to successful aging. Finally, the effect of positive environmental chatter on successful aging was serially mediated by career meaning, negative affect, and efficacy. Results offer theoretical and practical implications.