Socio-demographic correlates of subjective age in young and middle-aged adults

Abstract

Subjective age, referring to the age people feel rather than their chronological age, is conceptualized as an important biopsychosocial marker of development, and there is a growing body of literature linking the age one feels to a range of psychological, behavioral, and functional outcomes. Little is known, however, about the correlates of subjective age. To fill this gap, a questionnaire was applied to a convenience sample of 229 participants (Mage = 28.69 years, SD = 8.12 years) in the present study measuring socio-demographic, health-related variables and multidimensional subjective age. The questionnaire was applied using the Google Forms web application, and the results were analyzed with a standard multiple regression analysis. The regression analysis revealed that the senior chronological age, a lower level of depressive symptoms, and being married or with a partner were associated with a younger subjective age. Importantly, the chronological age group (younger vs middle-aged adults) had no moderating role in the relationship between subjective age and sociodemographic or health-related variables. In conclusion, the findings highlighted the importance of certain sociodemographic characteristics on subjective age.