Change in subjective age among the elderly: an eight-year longitudinal study.

K. S. Markides, L. A. Ray

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Changes in subjective age were investigated with a sample of older Mexican Americans and Anglos over an 8-year period (1976-1984). It was found that people who changed from youthful ("young" or "middle-aged") to old ("old" or "very old") subjective ages were significantly different than persons retaining youthful subjective ages on several factors: they were chronologically older, were more likely to be Mexican Americans, and had reported declines in their self-assessed health. These were the exact same differences observed cross-sectionally which renews faith in cross-sectional data in this area. A few people reversed their subjective ages (from old to youthful) over time, but we found no evidence that they had experienced improvements in their health or social situation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11-15
Number of pages5
JournalComprehensive gerontology. Section B, Behavioural, social, and applied sciences
Volume2
Issue number1
StatePublished - Apr 1988

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