They noted that there are many pressures unique to this life phase including establishing a career, finding a life partner and navigating financial issues.
“It could be that age is associated with a reduction in risk factors for mental health,†said Darrell Worthy, a professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Texas A&M, who was not involved in the work. “Older adults may not have to deal with these stressors as much.â€
The authors noted that the study does have some limitations.
Participants were contacted via landline, meaning the experiences of people who have only cellphones were not included in the results.
In addition, people were excluded from taking part in the survey if they had dementia, lived in a nursing home or had a terminal illness. That means the elderly participants were, on the whole, fairly healthy, which might influence their sense of well-being.
Finally, everyone involved in the survey lived in sunny San Diego. It is possible that aging in Michigan could be very different than aging in Southern California.
Still, Carstensen said the study had major implications, especially considering that within just a few years, more people on the planet will be over 60 than under 15.
“Policy leaders are saying, ‘How are we going to cope with all these old people?’ †she said. “But a population who are in good mental health, emotionally stable, more grateful, and more likely to forgive are a pretty great resource for a society with so much strife and war.†(
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