Positive and Negative Aging Perceptions as Predictors of the Longitudinal Trajectory of Perceived Stress.

Abstract

This study sought to examine whether positive and negative perceptions of aging (beliefs about the consequences of aging and levels of control over one's aging) are associated with perceived levels of stress over time. A sample of adults (N = 6,345, ≥50 years, Mage = 62.23) participating in the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) was used. Data were collected across four waves between 2009 and 2016. The results of latent growth curve modeling showed that, after controlling for age and gender, positive and negative perceptions of aging predicted initial levels of perceived stress. Therefore, aging perceptions have robust synchronous associations with the levels of perceived stress in adults and thus merit attention in aging-related research, practice, education, and policy making. However, these perceptions did not confidently predict longitudinal trajectories of perceived stress.