The happy survivor? Effects of differential mortality on life satisfaction in older age

Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Hannah L. Combs, Ashley Winning, Julia K. Boehm, Laura D. Kubzansky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Older adults report higher psychological well-being than younger adults. Those highest in well-being also have the lowest risk of mortality. If those with lower well-being die earlier, it could affect the appearance of developmental change in well-being. In adults aged 50 and older (N ± 4,458), we estimated effects of differential mortality on life satisfaction by imputing life satisfaction, adjusting for attrition due to death, or estimating life satisfaction using pattern-mixture modeling. There was an increase in life satisfaction with age; however, differential mortality affected the elevation of the curve. Observed life satisfaction, particularly above age 70, is affected by differential mortality.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)340-345
Number of pages6
JournalPsychology and Aging
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 American Psychological Association.

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Life satisfaction
  • Mortality
  • Well-being

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Aging
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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