Abstract
Do older individuals have fewer important areas of life than their younger counterparts? While several recent theories of successful aging posit that selectivity in life domains and goal pursuits are important components of successful adult development and aging, it is not obvious how one would evaluate this claim empirically. The current study used four approaches to evaluate age differences in the number and content of life domains currently selected as important in an individual’s life. Two open-ended and two non-open-ended tools were used; the primary result was that age differences in number of selected domains emerged on the open-ended measures but not the others. Age differences in content of domains differed across assessment tools as well, but were consistent with an age-related shift in focus toward group involvement and leisure activities. Implications for practitioners attempting to discern optimal levels of life engagement for older individuals are discussed.
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Derek M. Isaacowitz received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and is an assistant professor of Psychology at Brandeis University. His research focuses on emotion in adulthood and old age. Specifically, he is interested in the interplay of cognitive processes, particularly attention, and emotion throughout the adult life span.
Nicole E. Rossi received her MA from Brandeis University; this manuscript is based in part on her MA thesis. Ms. Rossi is currently a Ph.D. student in developmental psychology at the University of New Hampshire.
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Rossi, N.E., Isaacowitz, D.M. What is important to me right now? Age differences in domain selectivity depend on the measure. Ageing Int. 31, 24–43 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-006-1002-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-006-1002-x