Conceptions of Aging and Beliefs About How One's Life Is Unfolding Over Time: A Lifespan Developmental Perspective

The present study examined beliefs about how one's life satisfaction is unfolding over time in relation to conceptions of aging in an online American adult lifespan sample (N = 882; M-age = 47.89, SD = 15.30, range = 19-84 years; 56% female). Single-item and multi-item ratings of recollected past, current, and anticipated future life satisfaction were employed, along with subjective perceptions of change in life satisfaction over time. Person-centered (latent profile) analysis identified distinct linear and nonlinear patterns of beliefs concerning past-current and current-future changes in life satisfaction: improve-improve, stable-stable, worsen-worsen, and worsen-improve. Multiple facets of conceptions of aging were assessed, including subjective perceptions of age (chronological vs. felt and desired age); attitudes toward, experiences of, and expectations concerning aging; future time perspective; and goal orientations (growth, maintenance, prevention of losses). Multinomial logistic regression models identified unique facets of conceptions of aging characterizing the four profiles. In general, individuals reporting a distinct profile conveying the belief that one's life was improving (vs. worsening) over time were characterized by more positive conceptions of aging. Further, conceptions of aging partially explained the link between chronological age and the belief that one's life is getting worse and worse (vs. better and better). Thus, the present work provides new insights into how age and conceptions of aging may shape the directions and patterns with which individuals view their lives to be unfolding over time.