Cluster analysis was applied to 12 measures of intellectual, personality, self-related, and social functioning collected in the 1st cross-sectional wave of the Berlin Aging Study (BASE; N = 516). Central questions concerned the number, profile desirability (functional status), and membership of the subgroups obtained. Of the 9 subgroups extracted, 4 reflected different patterns of desirable functioning (47%… Continue reading Profiles of psychological functioning in the old and oldest old
Keyword: 70-103 Yr Olds
Trends and profiles of psychological functioning in very old age
Describes psychological and psychosocial status of the Ss of the Berlin Aging Study. In the 1st section, age trends are outlined in 3 domains: intelligence, self and personality, and social relationships. In the domain of intelligence, negative age differences between 70-103 yrs were substantial and were closely associated with indicators of biological deterioration. In contrast,… Continue reading Trends and profiles of psychological functioning in very old age
Psychological predictors of mortality in old age
Used Cox regression models to examine associations between 17 indicators of psychological functioning (intellectual abilities, personality, subjective well-being, and social relations) and mortality. The sample consisted of 516 participants (aged 70-103 yrs) in the Berlin Aging Study assessed between 1990 and 1993. By 1996, 50% had died. 11 indicators were identified as mortality risk factors… Continue reading Psychological predictors of mortality in old age
Is age-related stability of subjective well-being a paradox? Cross-sectional and longitudional evidence from the Berlin Aging Study
Subjective well-being is thought to remain relatively stable into old age despite health-related losses. Age and functional health constraints were examined as predictors of individual differences and intraindividual change in subjective well-being, as indicated by positive and negative affect, using cross-sectional (N = 516) and longitudinal (N = 203) samples from the Berlin Aging Study (age range 70-103 years).… Continue reading Is age-related stability of subjective well-being a paradox? Cross-sectional and longitudional evidence from the Berlin Aging Study
Die Selbstdefinition im hohen Alter
Characteristics of the self-definition were investigated in a heterogeneous sample of 516 participants of the Berlin Aging Study (aged 70-103 yrs). The investigation of the self-definitions of older adults provides insights into the salient life themes and processes of their person-environment interaction. An analysis of the content of the self-definition revealed that old and very… Continue reading Die Selbstdefinition im hohen Alter
Content and function of the self-definition in old and very old age
Spontaneous self-definition was investigated in a heterogeneous sample of 516 participants (aged 70-103 yrs) in the Berlin Aging Study. The content of the self-definition revealed that old and very old persons view themselves as active and present-oriented. The self-definition also reflected an inward orientation, and central themes of life-review, health, and family. Participants generated more… Continue reading Content and function of the self-definition in old and very old age
A systemic-wholistic view of psychological functioning in very old age: Introduction to a collection of articles from the Berlin Aging Study
Introduced are articles from the Berlin Aging Study (BASE) that collectively illustrate systemic-wholistic approaches to psychological functioning in old age. A systemic-wholistic perspective aims to elucidate structural and functional interdependencies between domains and to provide an integrative account of individual functioning. The special features of BASE (age range, 70-105 years; heterogeneous sample stratified by age… Continue reading A systemic-wholistic view of psychological functioning in very old age: Introduction to a collection of articles from the Berlin Aging Study